On Tuesday, Kang Hoon-sik, the White House Chief of Staff, addressed President Lee Jae Myung’s statement of regret concerning the North Korean drone incursion. Kang emphasized that this was a pivotal moment where the President, as the nation’s top leader, demonstrated a strong commitment to rebuilding inter-Korean trust and reducing military tensions.
During a press conference on Middle East affairs at the Chunchugwan press center, Kang responded to North Korean Workers’ Party Vice Department Director Kim Yo-jong’s characterization of the President’s expression of regret as a frank and bold stance.
Kang revealed that the President had instructed his staff to prepare a message of regret to North Korea after receiving the investigation results on the civilian drone incident. He recounted the President’s reaction: How could this have happened?
Kang stressed the critical importance of maintaining stability on the Korean Peninsula, especially during times of crisis. He referenced past presidential briefings where the administration outlined four key pillars for boosting the KOSPI above 5,000 points, consistently emphasizing the need for stable management of peninsula affairs.
The Chief of Staff reiterated that managing the current situation on the Korean Peninsula has become increasingly crucial. He stated that the President believes in eventually reopening long-closed channels between North and South Korea. Kang added that it acknowledges the mistakes, and the administration must take responsible actions to promote peace on the Korean Peninsula. This aligns with the President’s vision.
Kang firmly denied rumors of a planned strategy or the appointment of a special envoy to North Korea, asserting that these claims were unfounded and that no such preparations had been made. Regarding Kim’s assessment of the President’s frank and bold stance, Kang declined to offer additional commentary.