North Korea’s Conciliatory Response to President Lee Marked ‘Meaningful Progress’, Says Seoul

CTV News

South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung

South Korea’s Unification Ministry said on Tuesday that North Korea’s rare conciliatory response to President Lee Jae Myung’s expression of regret over drone incursions marked “meaningful progress” towards easing military tensions.

President Lee’s administration has been seeking to reverse a sharp deterioration in inter-Korean relations, with the two countries still technically at war following the 1950–53 Korean War, which ended in an armistice.

The ministry, which oversees inter-Korean affairs, said Seoul would maintain its principle of refraining from hostile acts towards North Korea while continuing its policy of peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula.

The statement came in response to remarks carried on Monday by North Korea’s KCNA state news agency, in which Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of leader Kim Jong Un, described President Lee’s apology over drone incursions and pledge to prevent a recurrence as “very fortunate and wise,” language that contrasted with years of sharply critical rhetoric.

However, she also stated that Seoul should “refrain from any attempt at contact” towards North Korea.

President Lee had on Monday expressed regret to Pyongyang over what he described as unnecessary military tensions caused by multiple drone incursions into North Korean airspace, which he said were carried out by civilians acting against government policy. He added that an investigation found involvement by a National Intelligence Service employee and an active-duty military official, calling the incidents violations of South Korea’s constitution.

According to South Korean media, presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik said on Tuesday that President Lee’s decision to convey regret reflected his determination to ease military tensions and restore trust, adding that the message was delivered after he was briefed on the findings of the investigation.

In recent years, Pyongyang has labelled South Korea its “most hostile state” and declared it would no longer pursue reunification, instead framing inter-Korean relations as those between two separate and hostile states.

Source: Reuters



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