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Suspected North Korean drone photographed US THAAD missile site before crash

Investigators discovered hundreds of photos from the drone’s Sony-made in-built camera

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A small aircraft what South Korea's Military said is believed to be a North Korean drone, is seen at a mountain near the demilitarised zone separating the two Koreas in Inje, South Korea. Photo: Reuters

A drone suspected to be from North Korea had taken aerial photos of the US THAAD anti-missile defence site in South Korea before it crashed on its way back.

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Seoul’s Defence Ministry said Tuesday investigators discovered hundreds of photos from the drone’s Sony-made in-built camera.

The ministry said they include 10 photos of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence missile launchers and a radar system installed in the southeastern town of Seongju earlier this year. It says the rest are mostly photos of residential areas, farming fields and other less-sensitive areas in the South.

Drones are a relatively new addition to North Korea’s arsenal. In 2014, several other suspected North Korean drones were found south of the border and experts said they were low-tech but could be considered as a potential security threat.

“We will come up with measures to deal with North Korean drones,” said an official at South Korea’s Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who also declined to be identified as he is not authorised to speak to the media.

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North Korean drones are known to have flown over South Korea several times.

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