South Korea’s Lee regrets drones sent to North: ‘irresponsible and reckless’

AdvertisementSouth KoreaAsiaEast AsiaSouth Korea’s Lee regrets drones sent to North: ‘irresponsible and reckless’The South Korean president said an investigation revealed that government officials were involved in the incursion earlier this year 2-MIN READ2-MIN1 ListenAgence France-PressePublished: 11:12am, 6 Apr 2026South Korean President Lee Jae Myung expressed regret to Pyongyang on Monday over drones sent into North Korea earlier this year, actions he called “irresponsible”.South Korea initially denied any official role in the January drone incursion – with authorities suggesting it was the work of civilians – but Lee said an investigation had revealed government officials had been involved.“Although this was not the intention of our government, we express our regret to the North that unnecessary military tensions were caused by the irresponsible and reckless actions of a few individuals,” Lee said during a cabinet meeting. AdvertisementNorth Korea warned in February of a “terrible response” if it detected more drones crossing the border from the South, prompting Seoul to investigate the claims.A composite of images taken on January 4 shows wreckage of a drone that North Korea claims originated from South Korea. Photo: KCNA/AFPPyongyang said it downed a drone carrying “surveillance equipment” in early January. AdvertisementAdvertisementSelect VoiceSelect Speed0.8x0.9x1.0x1.1x1.2x1.5x1.75x00:0000:001.00x