South Korea apologizes to North over drone incursions

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has apologized to North Korea over drone incursions into the neighboring country.

Last week, South Korean prosecutors indicted three people – an employee of the National Intelligence Service, a South Korean military officer, and a graduate student – for sending UAVs into North Korea between September 2025 and January 2026. Seoul previously denied any official involvement in the incursions, claiming they had been the work of civilians.

Speaking about the drone incidents during a cabinet meeting on Monday, Lee stressed that “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.”

“Individuals carried out such provocative acts… on their own,” he said, calling their conduct “unacceptable” and “irresponsible.”