Seoul’s drone apology draws rare praise from North Korea

Kim Yo-jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, described South Korean President Lee Jae Myung as “frank and broad-minded” following his expression of regret over unauthorized drone flights into North Korea, Yonhap reports.

Earlier in the day, Lee addressed the incident during a Cabinet meeting, stating: “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.”

In a statement carried by North Korean state media, Kim—who serves as a department director of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party—said Pyongyang “appreciated it as a very fortunate and wise behavior.”

“Our head of state commented on it as a manifestation of a frank and broad-minded man’s attitude,” the statement read.

Despite the conciliatory tone, Kim also issued a warning to Seoul, urging it to “stop any reckless provocation” against Pyongyang and to “refrain from any attempt at contact, instead of paying lip-service to the utmost importance of peace and security.”

By Vafa Guliyeva