President Lee Jae-myung on Tuesday expressed regret to North Korea over the drone incursion incident, marking the first time he has directly conveyed such a message to Pyongyang.
"It was not our government's intention, but I express regret to the North that irresponsible and reckless actions by some individuals provoked unnecessary military tension," Lee said at a State Cabinet meeting and emergency economic review session held at Cheongwadae, the presidential compound.
"National Intelligence Service personnel and active-duty soldiers were involved in this incident," Lee said. "It is deeply regrettable that an act of provocation against the North took place."
A joint military-police investigation task force on May 31 referred two active-duty soldiers and an NIS employee to prosecutors without detention in connection with the case.
It is the first time in 23 years that a South Korean president has expressed regret over a North Korea-related issue, since former President Roh Moo-hyun did so in 2003. At the time, some conservative groups burned a North Korean flag and a portrait of then-Chairman Kim Jong-il ahead of the Daegu Summer Universiade. North Korea declared it would boycott the games, calling the act "an insult to its dignity." After Roh called the incident "regrettable," North Korea reversed its decision and announced participation roughly seven hours later.
The Ministry of Unification explained that the nature of the two cases differs. Roh's remark was an expression of regret over the actions of domestic civic groups, whereas Lee's statement was directed at North Korea itself.
Kim Yo-jong, vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, responded positively. "It is very fortunate that the president personally expressed regret and mentioned measures to prevent recurrence. It was a wise move for his own sake," Kim said. "Our head of state evaluates this as showing the attitude of an honest and bold person."
Lee also referenced the ongoing wars in the Middle East alongside the drone incident. "At times like these, peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula are more important than anything," he stressed.
He sharply criticized fake news spreading amid the Middle East conflict, calling it "tantamount to rebellion." "Fake news is a tactic used by enemy forces during wartime," Lee said, calling for a stern response.
A plan to introduce preemptive remote work arrangements in the public sector as part of energy supply measures was also reviewed. When Lee asked about progress, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Yun-deok said the matter was "under review." Kim added that the ministry "aims to prepare comprehensive measures by the end of this month, including a public campaign and differentiated public transportation fares." Lee urged that "measures that can be implemented right now should be carried out."
The Cabinet meeting also approved a proposal to designate May 1, Labor Day, as a public holiday, along with a public notice for a constitutional amendment. "It is the natural course to pursue constitutional amendments partially and in stages, starting with specific matters on which sufficient public consensus has already been formed," Lee said.