Unification Minister Issues Another Apology Over UAVs Ahead of North’s Party Congress...Probe Results Still Pending

Minister Chung Dongyoung: "Four UAV Infiltrations into the North, Deep Regret"

On the 18th, Unification Minister Chung Dongyoung once again expressed his "deep regret" over the recent incident in which civilians infiltrated unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) into North Korean territory. This is his second such expression of regret, following his initial statement on the 10th. With North Korea expected to convene the 9th Party Congress soon and issue a message toward the South, attention is focusing on why the government is repeatedly sending messages even before the official results of its investigation are announced.

Yonhap News Agency

At a briefing held at the Government Complex Seoul on the afternoon of this day, the last day of the Lunar New Year holiday, Minister Chung said, "According to the findings of the joint investigation by the military-police task force (TF), which was launched on January 12, the three civilians infiltrated UAVs into the North not twice but four times since the inauguration of the Lee Jaemyung administration," adding, "Although it was a reckless military act committed under the previous administration, as Unification Minister in the Lee Jaemyung government, I express my deep regret to the North over the UAV infiltrations carried out under the Yoon Suk Yeol administration." He went on to stress, "With regard to the military operation in October 2024, when the Yoon Suk Yeol regime mobilized units under the Drone Operations Command to threaten the North’s supreme leadership in Pyongyang and to induce military clashes and war between the two Koreas, former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who is now standing trial as the ringleader of an insurrection, must personally apologize to the North and offer a profound apology to our people."

After Minister Chung’s initial expression of regret, Kim Yo Jong, vice department director of the Workers’ Party of Korea, issued an additional statement on the 12th, warning that "if the sovereignty-infringing provocation recurs, harsh countermeasures will surely be taken." In response, Minister Chung said, "Even though the perpetrators in this UAV incident are civilians, if the charge of 'general aiding the enemy' is applied and they receive severe punishment such as life imprisonment or at least three years in prison, this will serve as a strong measure to prevent any recurrence."

He also announced follow-up measures. Minister Chung said, "In cooperation with the military authorities, we will preemptively review and pursue the restoration of the existing September 19 inter-Korean military agreement, including the designation of no-fly zones, in order to prevent accidental clashes and build military trust." He added, "We will strengthen the penalty provisions under the Aviation Safety Act and push for amendments to the Development of Inter-Korean Relations Act to explicitly prohibit UAV infiltrations."

However, the government-level investigation into this UAV incident is still underway, and the final results have not yet been announced. When asked why he expressed regret and disclosed part of the findings even before the military-police TF completed its investigation, Minister Chung said, "I do not think this is premature," adding, "Promptly acknowledging wrongdoing and expressing regret is the minimum step needed to restore the shattered trust between the two Koreas."

Given that North Korea has never apologized despite having previously flown UAVs into South Korea, there appears to have been internal debate over whether a government-level expression of regret is appropriate. Minister Chung, however, emphasized that the announcement made on this day reflects the position of the government as a whole, not just of the Ministry of Unification. He said, "At a meeting of security-related ministers held early in the Lunar New Year holiday, it was decided that the Lee Jaemyung administration would present its official position," and added that, regarding the partial restoration of the September 19 inter-Korean military agreement, "sufficient consultation and coordination have been carried out among the relevant ministries."

Meanwhile, North Korea is scheduled to convene the 9th Party Congress in late February to set its policy line for state affairs and foreign policy for the next five years. There is also speculation that it could be held as early as February 19 to 20, immediately after the Lunar New Year holiday.