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South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said he is considering issuing an apology to North Korea over cross-border provocations allegedly carried out under the previous administration.
Speaking on Wednesday, Lee said an apology may be appropriate following the recent indictment of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, who is accused of ordering drones loaded with propaganda leaflets to enter North Korean airspace. Prosecutors say the move was intended to heighten tensions and bolster Yoon’s political standing.
Lee’s remarks come as South Korea marks the anniversary of Yoon’s failed declaration of martial law — an act that triggered a national crisis.
Since taking office, Lee has tried to open channels of communication with Pyongyang, but North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has not responded.
“I feel I should apologize, but I’m hesitant to voice it,” Lee said during a press conference in Seoul. “I’m concerned it could fuel ideological conflict or lead to accusations of being sympathetic to the North.”
North Korea claims Yoon’s administration sent drones carrying leaflets over Pyongyang on three occasions in October 2024. South Korean media also reported this week that balloon launches with propaganda materials occurred during Yoon’s tenure.
A Divided Nation
Lee’s comments coincide with the anniversary of Yoon’s controversial attempt to impose martial law, which pushed the country into turmoil. Protesters and lawmakers occupied parliament to repeal the decree, and the Supreme Court swiftly ruled it unconstitutional.
Yoon was later impeached, removed from office, and jailed while awaiting trial for insurrection and related charges.
The issue continues to polarize South Korea, with large groups both condemning and defending Yoon’s tough stance toward the North.
Continued Push for Dialogue
Lee, a liberal who won April’s snap presidential election after Yoon’s ouster, stressed his commitment to easing tensions. Since assuming office in June, he has removed border loudspeakers and passed a law banning activists from sending leaflet balloons into the North.
Despite these steps, Pyongyang has refused to engage, with Kim Jong Un dismissing the prospect of dialogue.
Lee said he remains determined, suggesting that scaling back joint military exercises with the United States — which the North views as provocative — might encourage talks to resume.
He also expressed optimism that U.S. President Donald Trump, whom he described as a “realist and skilled negotiator,” could help bring North Korea back to the table, noting Pyongyang’s tendency to take Washington more seriously than Seoul.
