South Korea apologizes to North over drone incursions
President Lee Jae Myung expressed regret for drone flights into North Korea, calling them "reckless," after three people were indicted for these incidents.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has apologized to North Korea over drone incursions into the neighboring country, admitting that sending unmanned aerial vehicles beyond the 38th parallel was "reckless." Last week, South Korean prosecutors indicted three people - an employee of the National Intelligence Service, a military officer, and a graduate student - for sending drones into North Korea between September 2025 and January 2026. Seoul had previously denied any official involvement in the incursions, claiming they were the work of civilians.
Speaking during a cabinet meeting on Monday, Lee stated: "Although this was not an act by our government, I express regret to the North Korean side over the unnecessary military tension caused by such reckless behavior." He added that "individuals carried out such provocative acts... on their own," calling their conduct "unacceptable" and "irresponsible." The president instructed relevant government agencies to amend regulations to ensure drone incursions do not reoccur in the future.
In early January, North Korea announced the downing of a UAV carrying "surveillance equipment" over its territory and published photos of the aircraft debris. Pyongyang later warned Seoul of a "terrible response" if it detected more drones violating its airspace. Last month, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un described the South as the "most hostile state," vowing to "thoroughly reject and disregard it." Kim reiterated that North Korea will not give up its nuclear weapons because they provide deterrence against the US, which he accused of carrying out "state terror and aggression" globally.
The South Korean president's office said Kim's comments undermine efforts toward peaceful coexistence on the Korean peninsula. The two countries technically remain at war, as the 1950-1953 Korean War ended with an armistice instead of a formal peace treaty.
