South Korean president mulls apology to North

Lee Jae Myung, the president of South Korea, has stated that he is considering apologizing to Pyongyang for allegedly ordering cross-border provocations under his leadership.

Following the indictment of former president Yoon Suk-yeol last month over alleged ordering of drones carrying propaganda flyers to fly over the North, Lee said on Wednesday that he felt an apology was appropriate in response. According to prosecutors, Lee said the move was to stir up tension and increase his political support.

The comments were made as Seoul commemorated Yoon’s disastrous declaration of martial law, which was spurred by similar intentions but instead caused a severe crisis in South Korea.

Kim Jong Un, the North’s leader, has so far ignored Lee’s attempts to strike up a dialogue with Pyongyang after he became president.

Lee said at a press conference in Seoul, “I feel I should apologize, but I hesitantly say it out loud.”

If I do, he said, “I worry that it will serve as fodder for ideological rivalries or accusations of being pro-North.”

North Korea claimed that Yoon’s government flew drones over Pyongyang to drop propaganda leaflets three times in October 2024.

During the former administration’s time in power, the military also flew balloons carrying propaganda across the border, according to South Korean media on Monday.

deep division

Lee’s remarks coincided with Yoon’s attempt to implement martial law.

South Korea entered a unique crisis as a result of the decree, which saw lawmakers and protesters encroach on the country’s parliament.

The Supreme Court quickly upheld its constitutionality.

Yoon is currently imprisoned while awaiting trial for insurrection and other charges stemming from his unsuccessful martial law attempt. He was later impeached and removed from office.

However, the stunt has divided South Korea deeply, with Yoon’s supporters voicing their anger at his hardline policy toward the North and his political rivals accusing him of attacking the South’s democracy.

As Seoul celebrated its anniversary on Wednesday, opposing marches took place.

Dialogue

Lee, a liberal who won a slew of presidential elections in April of this year, stated to reporters that he is eager to mend relations with Pyongyang.

He has removed propaganda loudspeakers along the border since taking office in June, among other things.

A law in Seoul that forbids activists from flying balloons carrying propaganda into the North was passed on Tuesday.

Kim claims that his government isn’t interested in dialogue, despite Kim’s assertion that North Korea has so far refrained from trying to stop it.

The president of South Korea reaffirmed his resolve despite this. He suggested that Pyongyang might take advantage of the regular military exercises, which Pyongyang views as a provocation, to encourage the North to resume discussions.