SEOUL, April 6 (Reuters) – North Korea said on Monday it was “very lucky and wise” for South Korean President Lee Jae-myung to express regret over a drone incursion into Pyongyang, a rare conciliatory gesture towards a rival it has been hostile to in recent years.
Lee earlier on Monday expressed regret over at least two incidents of drones crossing the border, which he said were carried out by civilians in violation of government policy, calling them acts of “defiance” against their country.
Pyongyang said a drone sent by South Korea violated its airspace, accused Seoul of a serious provocation and said it had shot it down.
“Our government appreciates that this is a very lucky and wise act,” Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, said in a statement carried by KCNA, referring to Lee Myung-bak’s remarks.
She said North Korean leader Kim Jong Un viewed this as “a manifestation of the frank and broad-minded attitude of a man.” Kim Yo Jong frequently comments on Pyongyang’s foreign policy issues and is believed to reflect her brother’s views.
The comments contrast with Pyongyang’s harsh attacks on what it calls its “most hostile enemy” in recent years, as it can no longer pursue its goal of ultimate reunification.
After the 1950-53 armed conflict ended in a truce, the two countries remained technically at war.
Lee said the investigation found that a National Intelligence Service (NIS) employee and an active-duty military officer were involved in the drone incident, adding that they violated South Korea’s constitution, which prohibits provocations against North Korea.
“While this was not our government’s original intention, we express regret to North Korea that the irresponsible and reckless actions of some people have caused unnecessary military tensions,” Lee said at a cabinet meeting.
Since taking office in June, Lee Myung-bak has repeatedly made suggestions to North Korea to improve relations and said peace is the best policy for both sides to achieve prosperity. Relations between the two countries are currently at their worst level in decades.
(Reporting by Kyu-seok Shim, Cynthia Kim and Jack Kim; Editing by Ed Davies and Keith Weir)
