Flock of birds flying near Seongmo Island mistaken for UAV

What was suspected of being an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flying near Seongmo Island in Ganghwa County on Tuesday turned out to be a flock of birds, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).

Passersby watch a televised news about possible North Korean drones crossing the border at Seoul Station on Tuesday. [YONHAP]

What was suspected of being an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flying near Seongmo Island in Ganghwa County on Tuesday turned out to be a flock of birds, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).

The military detected "unidentifiable objects" at around 1 p.m. Tuesday and continued tracking the detected objects until 4 p.m. by deploying a similar number of Air Force fighters, attack helicopters and other warplanes used to shoot at the drones on Monday.

A total of 20 warplanes, including F-15Ks, KF-16s and KA-1 light attack aircraft, were used for the shoot-down attempts the day earlier.

The military said it did not air a warning broadcast or fired warning shots Tuesday.

Earlier in the day, the Incheon Metropolitan Government warned residents of Ganghwa County of the drone incursion via an emergency disaster warning text.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]