This drone was found in the South Korean island of Baengnyeoung Island rst;ort yjod errl/
- Two drones found in South Korea are believed to be from North Korea, says officials
- Questions raised about South Korea's defense and North Korea's capabilities
- Earlier this week, two Koreas exchanged hundreds of shells across their western sea border
(CNN) -- Two drones, suspected of being from North Korea, have crashed in South Korea in the last two weeks, according to government officials from the South. The discoveries raise questions over South Korea's air defense and the North's aerial capabilities.
On Monday, a drone was discovered on Baengnyeong Island in the Yellow Sea, a strategically important location for the South's military. The drone crashed on the same day as the two Koreas exchanged fire off their western coasts.
South Korean government officials told CNN the most recent drone was traveling in a southward direction.
"We are investigating the drone that crashed into Baengnyeong Island with the assumption that it is North Korean," said a Blue House spokesperson.
This drone crashed in the South Korean city of Paju on March 24.
Earlier, on March 24, another drone had been found in Paju, a city that sits a few miles south of the Demilitarized Zone. According to local media, the drone contained an image of the Blue House, the office and official residence of Park Geun-hye, the South Korean president.
The drone discovered in Paju had a North Korean-style word found on it, leading government officials to believe that both aircraft came from the country to undertake aerial surveillance.
The South Korean Ministry of National Defense said the small "elementary level" drones were fit with Japanese-made cameras and colored blue.
North Korea could be flying drones because it doesn't possess satellites to collect aerial information, said Professor Koh Yuwhan, a North Korean expert at Dongguk University in Seoul.
"The scary part of this is that the same drones can be used for terrorist attacks by loading weapons posing serious danger," he said. He added that another reason for Pyongyang sending the drones could be to show their capabilities.
North Korea has previously flaunted its drones during military parades.
An annual escalation?
North Korea's rhetoric has intensified in recent weeks.
South Korean and U.S. forces are currently conducting annual joint military drills, which North Korea typically denounces -- it recently accused the United States of "aggression and interference" through its state-run news agency, KCNA.
Last month, North Korea fired rockets from its eastern coast, drawing criticism from South Korea and its allies. North Korea called the actions "self-defense."
North Korea fires short-range rockets, South says
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Kim inspects the command of an army unit in this undated photo released Sunday, January 12, by the North Korean Central News Agency (KNCA). 
Kim visits an army unit in this undated photo. 
A picture released by the KNCA on Wednesday, December 25, shows Kim visiting an army unit near the western port city of Nampo. 
Kim inspects a military factory in this undated picture released by the KNCA on Friday, May 17. 
Kim visits the Ministry of People's Security on Wednesday, May 1, as part of the country's May Day celebrations. 
A North Korean soldier, near Sinuiju, gestures to stop photographers from taking photos on Saturday, April 6. 
North Korean soldiers gather by the docks in Sinuiju, near the Chinese border, on Thursday, April 4. 
North Korean soldiers patrol near the Yalu River on April 4. 
Kim is briefed by his generals in this undated photo. On the wall is a map titled "Plan for the strategic forces to target mainland U.S." 
Kim works during a briefing in this undated photo. 
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Kim, with North Korean soldiers, makes his way to an observation post on March 25. 
Kim uses a pair of binoculars to look south from the Jangjae Islet Defense Detachment, near South Korea's Taeyonphyong Island, on Thursday, March 7. 
Kim is greeted by a soldier's family as he inspects the Jangjae Islet Defense Detachment on March 7. 
Kim is surrounded by soldiers during a visit to the Mu Islet Hero Defense Detachment, also near Taeyonphyong Island, on March 7. 
Kim arrives at Jangjae Islet by boat to meet with soldiers of the Jangjae Islet Defense Detachment on March 7. 
Soldiers in the North Korean army train at an undisclosed location on Wednesday, March 6. 
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In April 2012, Pyongyang launched a long-range rocket that broke apart and fell into the sea. Here, the UNHA III rocket is pictured on its launch pad in Tang Chung Ri, North Korea. 
A closer look at the UNHA III rocket on its launch pad in Tang Chung Ri, North Korea. 
A military vehicle participates in a parade in Pyongyang in April 2012. 
North Koreans wave flags in front of portraits of Kim Il Sung, left, and Kim Jong Il during celebrations to mark the 100th birth anniversary of Kim Il Sung in Pyongyang in April 2012. 
North Korean soldiers relax at the end of an official ceremony attended by leader Kim Jong Un at a stadium in Pyongyang in April 2012. 
Kim Jong Un applauds as he watches a military parade in Pyongyang in April 2012. 
A North Korean soldier stands on a balcony in Pyongyang in April 2012. 
North Korean soldiers march during a military parade in Pyongyang in April 2012. 
Soldiers board a bus outside a theater in Pyongyang in April 2012. 
North Korean performers sit below a screen showing images of leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang in April 2012. 
North Korean soldiers salute during a military parade in Pyongyang in April 2012. 
North Korean soldiers listen to a speech during an official ceremony attended by leader Kim Jong Un at a stadium in Pyongyang in April 2012. 
Members of a North Korean military band gather following an official ceremony at the Kim Il Sung stadium in Pyongyang in April 2012. 
North Korean military personnel watch a performance in Pyongyang in April 2012. 
A North Korean controller is seen along the railway line between the Pyongyang and North Pyongan provinces in April 2012. 
A North Korean military honor guard stands at attention at Pyongyang's airport in May 2001. Kim Jong Un and North Korea's military
Kim Jong Un and North Korea's military
Kim Jong Un and North Korea's military
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Photos: Kim Jong Un's military 
North, South Korea exchange fire at sea On Sunday, North Korea warned it was preparing to test another nuclear device, prompting fresh criticism from the United States.
"(We) would not rule out a new form of a nuclear test aimed at strengthening our nuclear deterrence," North Korea's Foreign Ministry said in a statement carried on KCNA. "The U.S. had better ponder over this and stop acting rashly."
The statement did not specify what the ministry meant by a "new form" of test.
On Monday, following the unusual step of informing its neighbors of live-fire drills, North Korea fired ordnance in and around the Northern Limit Line, the de facto maritime border between the two. Several North Korean shells landed in South Korean waters, prompting return fire.
Hundreds of shells were exchanged between the two forces, according to South Korea's semi-official news agency Yonhap. No injuries resulted from the incident.
Allies react
The recent incident raised stern warnings from allies of both Korean nations.
China, North Korea's staunch ally, expressed concern over escalating tensions.
"China opposes actions that undermine (the) peace and stability of the Peninsula and urge all parties to keep calm, exercise restraint, be discreet in words and deeds," Hong Lei, China's foreign ministry spokesperson, said earlier this week.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel echoed the sentiment. "The provocation that the North Koreans have, once again, engaged in, is dangerous and it needs to stop," he said.
READ: Report: N. Korea fires on South during North's military drills; South responds
READ: Report: Koreas exchange fire during North's military exercises
Journalist Stella Kim and Paula Hancocks reported from Seoul, South Korea. Madison Park wrote from Hong Kong.
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