Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik said Monday that President Lee Jae-myung's expression of regret to North Korea over the "civilian drone incursion incident" the previous day "demonstrated a strong will as the nation's top leader to ease military tensions and restore trust."
Kang made the remarks at a press briefing at Cheong Wa Dae, the Presidential Office, saying, "Managing the Korean Peninsula situation in a stable manner is more important than ever in this kind of crisis."
He added, "President Lee himself cited 'Korean Peninsula stability management' as one of four factors for KOSPI reaching 5,000," noting, "That has become even more critical with the energy crisis, and beyond that, the president has long held the conviction that the door between the two Koreas, which has been closed for a long time, must eventually be opened."
Kang also explained the background behind President Lee's decision to issue the regret message to the North. "President Lee received a briefing on the investigation results of the civilian drone incident and instructed the preparation of a regret message to the North," Kang said.
At a Cabinet meeting the previous day, President Lee had said regarding the civilian drone incursion into North Korea, "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."
Following President Lee's expression of regret, Kim Yo-jong, director of the General Affairs Department of North Korea's Workers' Party, responded, "Our government considers it very fortunate and a wise move on his part that President Lee Jae-myung personally expressed regret over the drone incursion into North Korea and mentioned measures to prevent recurrence." She added, "Our head of state described it as demonstrating the attitude of an honest and bold person."