North Korea: ‘Attitude of a broad-minded person’: North Korea calls South Korean President Lee’s regret over drone intrusion ‘intelligent’ in rare cordial response
north korea Pyongyang described South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s expression of regret over cross-border drone intrusions as “very fortunate and wise” on Monday, in a rare cordial response from Pyongyang after years of intensely hostile rhetoric.Earlier on Monday, Lee had apologized for at least two incidents in which drones crossed into North Korea, Reuters reported, saying the incidents were carried out by civilians in violation of government policy and were acts of “rebellion” against his own country.Pyongyang has accused Seoul of sending the drones into its airspace, calling it a serious provocation, and says it has shot them down.“Our government appreciated this as a very fortunate and wise behavior on its part,” kim yo jongthe influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said in a statement carried by KCNA, according to Reuters.Kim Yo Jong also said that Kim Jong Un viewed Lee’s comments as “an expression of the viewpoint of an outspoken and broad-minded person.”
Lee says investigation found NIS officer, active-duty soldier involved in incidents
At a cabinet meeting, Lee said an investigation found that a National Intelligence Service (NIS) employee and an active-duty military officer were involved in the drone incidents, adding that their actions violated South Korea’s constitution, which prohibits provocations against the North.Lee said, “Although it was not our government’s intention, we express our regret to the North over the fact that the irresponsible and reckless actions of some individuals led to unnecessary military tension.”Seoul initially denied any official role in the drone intrusion in January, suggesting it may have been the work of civilians, but Lee later said the investigation confirmed that government officials were involved. Pyongyang claimed to have shot down a drone carrying “surveillance equipment” in early January and warned in February that there would be a “terrible response” if any further drones crossed the border.
Rare thaw after years of hostilities, but widespread tensions remain
The North’s comments were a sharp contrast from recent years, when Pyongyang described Seoul as its “most hostile enemy” and finally abandoned the long-held goal of unification.Since taking office in June, Lee has taken several initiatives to improve relations and has argued that peace is the best path to prosperity for both Koreas, Reuters reports.Lee has sought to improve ties after the tenure of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, whose administration was accused of sending drones to the North to provoke a reaction. During Yun’s presidency, relations rapidly deteriorated, with North Korea responding to propaganda leaflets by sending balloons filled with garbage across the border.The two Koreas are technically at war as the 1950–53 conflict ended in an armistice rather than a peace treaty.