Kim Yo-jong, a senior official of North Korea's Workers' Party Central Committee, said on June 6 that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un positively assessed President Lee Jae-myung's expression of regret over a drone incursion into North Korea, calling it "the posture of a candid and bold person."
The remarks are interpreted as Kim Jong-un, North Korea's head of state, personally responding in a favorable manner to President Lee's statement of regret.
In a statement released through the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on the evening of the same day, Kim Yo-jong said, "Our government evaluates the president's direct expression of regret and mention of measures to prevent recurrence as highly fortunate and a wise course of action for himself." She added that "our head of state assessed this as demonstrating the posture of a candid and bold person."
However, Kim drew a clear line against inter-Korean dialogue, stating, "The South Korean side should not merely recite by rote that peace and stability are of paramount importance, but should cease all reckless provocative acts against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea for its own safety and abandon any attempts at contact."
She also warned, "It should be kept firmly in mind that if provocative incidents violating the sacred and inviolable sovereignty of our state recur, an unbearable price will be paid, as we have already warned."
Earlier that day, President Lee had stated at a Cabinet meeting held at Cheong Wa Dae, "Although it was not the intention of our government, I express regret to the North that unnecessary military tensions were provoked by the irresponsible and reckless actions of some individuals."