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President Lee Jae Myung of South Korea said sorry to Pyongyang on Monday for sending drones into North Korea earlier this year. He called the actions “irresponsible.”
At first, Seoul denied any official involvement in the January drone incursion, saying it was the work of civilians.
But Lee said an investigation had shown that government officials had been involved.
He added that the investigations revealed that a National Intelligence Service official and an active-duty soldier were involved.
“It has been confirmed that a National Intelligence Service official and an active-duty soldier were involved,” Lee said at a cabinet meeting.
“We express regret to the North over the unnecessary military tensions caused by the irresponsible and reckless actions of some individuals.”
The North Korean government threatened in February of a “terrible response” if it detects more drones crossing the border from the South, causing Seoul to investigate the claims.
Pyongyang said it downed a drone carrying “surveillance equipment” in early January.
Photos released by state media showed the drone’s wreckage, including components allegedly containing cameras.
Lee noted that South Korea’s constitution prohibits private individuals from actions that could “provoke” North Korea.
“Such actions, even when deemed necessary for national strategy, must be approached with extreme caution,” he said.
Since taking office last year, Lee has sought to repair ties with Pyongyang, criticising his predecessor, Yoon Suk Yeol, for allegedly sending drones to scatter propaganda over the North.
Yoon is currently on trial over charges that his administration sent drones into North Korea to provoke a backlash and justify martial law; he was impeached and ousted in April last year and sentenced to life in prison.
In March, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un labelled Seoul as the “most hostile state” in a policy address and reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining the country’s nuclear arsenal, calling it an “irreversible course.”
