South Korea’s president is contemplating an unprecedented apology to North Korea over allegations that his predecessor deliberately escalated cross-border military tensions, even as Pyongyang continues to rebuff overtures for dialogue.
President Lee Jae-myung said he is considering apologizing for potential actions by former President Yoon Suk-yeol. Yoon allegedly ordered drone flights and propaganda balloon launches across the heavily fortified border.
These actions, Lee suggested, might have been intended to create grounds for declaring martial law. Lee stated his primary goal in considering the apology is to restore strained inter-Korean relations.
A special prosecutor recently indicted former President Yoon and two high-ranking defense officials. The charges relate to allegations of ordering drone flights over North Korea to heighten tensions.
Local media reports further claimed that the military under Yoon also released propaganda balloons across the frontier. North Korea publicly accused Yoon’s government of sending drones carrying anti-North Korea leaflets in October 2024. However, the South Korean military has consistently declined to confirm these specific claims.
Lee made these comments on the one-year anniversary of Yoon’s short-lived martial law declaration. He stated that he would personally wish to apologize to North Korea, even though the allegations against Yoon have not yet been proven in court.
Lee mentioned he had previously refrained from discussing the matter publicly. He was concerned his comments could be used as “a tool for slander that he is a North Korea sympathizer or ideological political struggle.”
Since taking office in June, President Lee has implemented several measures to reduce tensions with Pyongyang. These include shutting down frontline loudspeakers that previously broadcast K-pop music and world news.
He also issued a ban preventing activists from sending propaganda leaflet balloons across the border. Despite Lee’s efforts, North Korea has largely ignored his attempts at engagement.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has repeatedly emphasized that his government has no interest in resuming negotiations with Seoul. Lee also indicated his administration might reconsider the regular joint military exercises conducted with the United States.
This review, he suggested, could be a strategy to draw North Korea back to the negotiating table. Pyongyang consistently condemns these annual allied drills as “war games” that threaten peace on the Korean Peninsula and its sovereignty.