North Korean leader's sister calls Lee 'frank and broad-minded' after Seoul expresses regret over drones
Published: 06 Apr. 2026, 21:54
Updated: 06 Apr. 2026, 22:00
![North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's sister, Kim Yo-jong, speaks during a Workers' Party meeting in Pyongyang in this file photo released by the state-run Rodong Sinmun [NEWS1]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2026/04/06/d5489434-7f70-413b-8f2c-07d93fd67210.jpg)
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's sister, Kim Yo-jong, speaks during a Workers' Party meeting in Pyongyang in this file photo released by the state-run Rodong Sinmun [NEWS1]
Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and a department director of the country's ruling party, said on Monday that North Korea's government viewed South Korean President Lee Jae Myung as “frank and broad-minded” following his expression of regret earlier in the day over a series of drone incursions into the North from the South.
“It is very fortunate that President Lee directly expressed regret and mentioned measures to prevent a recurrence, and our government views this as a wise decision for himself,” Kim stated.
Kim said Lee had acknowledged South Korea's “irresponsible and reckless actions” regarding the drone incursion into North Korea, which she said had unnecessarily heightened military tensions.
“Our state leader evaluated this as showing the attitude of a frank and broad-minded person,” she added.
Earlier on Monday, South Korean President Lee expressed regret over drone flights by individuals into North Korea, saying that such behavior has caused unnecessary military tension with Pyongyang.
Lee made the remarks during a Cabinet meeting after prosecutors last week indicted three individuals accused of flying drones into North Korea between September 2025 and January.
Despite the positive assessment, Kim issued a warning to South Korea.
“It should not merely repeat that peace and stability are important, but must stop all reckless provocations against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea for its own safety and must abandon any attempt at contact,” Kim stated.
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is the official name of North Korea.
“If a provocative act infringing on the sacred and inviolable sovereignty of our state is repeated, it must bear in mind once again that it will pay a heavy price, as already warned,” she added.
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY HAN YOUNG-HYE [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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