SEOUL, April 6 (AJP) - President Lee Jae Myung on Monday expressed "regret" over civilian drone incursions into North Korea, saying they fueled unnecessary military tensions between the two Koreas.
His remarks came during a Cabinet meeting at Cheong Wa Dae in central Seoul, after prosecutors last week indicted three individuals including a graduate student in his 30s, a military officer and an intelligence agency employee, accused of flying drones into North Korea between last September and January this year.
"It is deeply regrettable that some people's irresponsible actions caused unnecessary military tensions," Lee said, adding that, under the law, civilians are prohibited from engaging in acts that could provoke North Korea.
It was the first time Lee officially expressed regret over these incidents, although he had previously criticized them on several occasions.
Offering consolation to residents in border areas, whose concerns would have been especially high, Lee urged relevant ministries to take immediate measures to prevent similar incidents from happening again.
North Korea has repeatedly complained that drones from South Korea violated its airspace.
His remarks came during a Cabinet meeting at Cheong Wa Dae in central Seoul, after prosecutors last week indicted three individuals including a graduate student in his 30s, a military officer and an intelligence agency employee, accused of flying drones into North Korea between last September and January this year.
"It is deeply regrettable that some people's irresponsible actions caused unnecessary military tensions," Lee said, adding that, under the law, civilians are prohibited from engaging in acts that could provoke North Korea.
It was the first time Lee officially expressed regret over these incidents, although he had previously criticized them on several occasions.
Offering consolation to residents in border areas, whose concerns would have been especially high, Lee urged relevant ministries to take immediate measures to prevent similar incidents from happening again.
North Korea has repeatedly complained that drones from South Korea violated its airspace.
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