The White House responded positively to Kim Yo-jong, the director of the North Korean Workers’ Party’s Department of Organization and Guidance, who described President Lee Jae Myung’s expression of regret over the recent drone incursion as honest and bold. The administration stated that it would continue its efforts toward peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula.
A Blue House official announced on Monday through a press release that it hopes that the swift exchange of intentions between the North and South Korean leaders will contribute to peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula.
Earlier, Kim responded to President Lee’s expression of regret in a statement via the Korean Central News Agency, saying that Lee has demonstrated the attitude of an honest and bold head of state. She added that it is very fortunate that the President directly expressed his regret and mentioned measures to prevent recurrence; she believes this is a wise decision for his own sake.
However, Kim cautioned that the South should not merely pay lip service to peace and stability; they must cease all reckless provocations against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea for their own safety and abandon any attempts at contact.
She emphasized that it must remember that if provocations infringing upon the nation’s inviolable sovereignty occur again, as previously warned, they will face severe consequences.
During a Cabinet meeting and emergency economic review held at the Blue House that morning, President Lee stated that an unprecedented incident involving civilian drones has occurred during this administration, and expressed regret to North Korea for unnecessary military tensions caused by some irresponsible and reckless actions. This marks the first time the President has directly expressed regret regarding this matter.
President Lee added that although it was not the government’s intention, he expresses regret to North Korea for the unnecessary military tensions caused by some irresponsible and reckless actions. He also noted that the residents in the border areas must have been particularly concerned due to this incident, and he extends the deepest sympathies to them.
Furthermore, President Lee instructed relevant departments to promptly implement institutional improvements and enforceable measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring again.