North Korea calls allegations it sent drones to spy on South Korea 'a charade'

SEOUL, May 12 (UPI) -- North Korea refuted allegations issued last week from South Korea's defense ministry that three low-tech drones found near the two countries' border had been sent by North Korea to spy on the South.

North Korea's army mission at the border village of Panmunjom issued a statement via state-run Korean Central News Agency on Monday:

"We clarify once again, the story about the 'north's involvement' in the 'drone case' is nothing but a 'charade' against (North Korea) from A to Z...

"If Washington pays heed only to what its stooges trumpet, it is bound to be accused of being a senile grandfather trying to stop a child from crying."

The tiny aircraft, which resembled hobby-shop model planes and contained consumer-grade cameras, were found after they landed immediately south of the border with North Korea in March and April.

The tiny planes were programmed to fly over military facilities, and one had overhead photos of the Blue House, the South Korean president's residence and office. They were not equipped to transmit photographs back to North Korea, and were stumbled upon by a civilian digging for wild ginseng.