Lee Jae Myung says he felt he ought to apologise over drone flights allegedly ordered as a provocation by his predecessor.
Printed On 3 Dec 2025
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has mentioned he’s weighing an apology to Pyongyang over cross-border provocations allegedly ordered by his predecessor.
Lee mentioned on Wednesday that he felt an apology was so as following the indictment of former President Yoon Suk-yeol final month for allegedly ordering drones carrying propaganda leaflets to fly over the North, in a bid, say prosecutors, to impress rigidity and enhance his political assist.
Beneficial Tales
listing of 4 gadgetsfinish of listing
The feedback got here as Seoul marked the anniversary of Yoon’s ill-fated declaration of martial law, which was spurred by comparable intentions however as an alternative led to a deep disaster in South Korea.
Lee has sought dialogue with Pyongyang after he grew to become president, however his overtures have thus far been ignored by the North’s chief, Kim Jong Un.
“I really feel I ought to apologise, however I hesitate to say it out loud,” Lee instructed a information convention in Seoul.
“I fear that if I do, it may very well be used as fodder for ideological battles or accusations of being pro-North,” he added.
North Korea accused Yoon’s authorities of flying drones over Pyongyang to drop propaganda leaflets thrice in October 2024.
South Korean media reported on Monday that the army had additionally flown balloons carrying propaganda leaflets throughout the border through the former administration’s time in workplace.
Deep divide
Lee’s feedback got here on the anniversary of Yoon’s bid to put in martial regulation.
The decree plunged South Korea into an unprecedented disaster that noticed protesters and lawmakers swarm parliament to pressure a vote in opposition to the measure.
It was rapidly declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Courtroom.
Yoon was subsequently impeached and faraway from workplace, and is in jail awaiting trial for insurrection and other charges stemming from his failed martial regulation try.
Nonetheless, South Korea stays deeply divided by the stunt, with these infuriated by Yoon’s actions matched by supporters of his hardline strategy to the North and claims that the South’s democracy is below assault from his political rivals.
Opposing marches have been held in Seoul on Wednesday because the anniversary was marked.
Dialogue
Lee, a liberal who received a snap presidential election following Yoon’s elimination from workplace in April this yr, instructed reporters he’s desperate to restore relations with Pyongyang.
Since taking workplace in June, he has taken quite a few measures to cut back tensions, together with eradicating propaganda loudspeakers alongside the border.
On Tuesday, Seoul handed a regulation banning activists from flying balloons carrying propaganda leaflets into the North.
However North Korea has thus far rebuffed Lee’s efforts, with Kim saying his authorities has little interest in dialogue.
Regardless of this, the South Korean president mentioned he would persist. He instructed that the suspension of standard army drills with the USA, that are considered as a provocation by Pyongyang, may very well be an avenue to think about to encourage the North to renew talks.
Lee additionally expressed hope that US President Donald Trump – “a realist, pragmatist, and grasp of dealmaking who respects his counterparts” – may assist persuade the North, saying Pyongyang appeared to take Washington extra severely than it did Seoul.
