South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said Wednesday that he is considering offering an apology to North Korea amid allegations that former conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol deliberately heightened military tensions ahead of his short-lived declaration of martial law in December 2024.
Marking the first anniversary of Yoon’s failed takeover, Lee — who won a snap election after Yoon’s removal in April — emphasized his intention to improve relations with Pyongyang. However, he drew criticism when he said he was unaware of the longstanding detentions of several South Koreans in North Korea.
A special prosecutor indicted Yoon and two military leaders last month, accusing them of ordering drone missions over North Korea to escalate tensions. South Korean media also reported this week that balloons carrying anti-North Korean leaflets were launched during Yoon’s presidency.
Lee Weighs an Apology
Although the allegations have not been proven, Lee signaled he believes an apology may be warranted.
“I think an apology is needed, but I’ve held back out of concern it could be used to attack me politically,” he said.
The opposition conservative People Power Party condemned Lee’s remarks and said he should protect the military’s integrity.
North Korea has claimed that the South flew drones over Pyongyang to drop propaganda materials several times in October 2024, though the South Korean military has not confirmed this.
Since taking office in June, Lee has tried to ease tensions by shutting down border loudspeakers and stopping activist groups from sending leaflets by balloon. Pyongyang has not responded positively, with Kim Jong Un insisting he has no interest in resuming talks.
Lee said he will continue seeking dialogue and even suggested reconsidering routine South Korea–U.S. military drills — something likely to anger conservatives who see the exercises as vital in the face of North Korea’s nuclear program.
Lee Stumbles on Question of South Korean Detainees
Lee faced backlash when he appeared unaware of the six South Koreans reportedly held in North Korea — including three Christian missionaries arrested in 2013–14 and sentenced to life at hard labor, and three North Korean–born defectors. Relatives expressed deep disappointment over his comments.
Human rights experts criticized the president for not knowing the issue, saying it is his responsibility to seek solutions despite the difficulty.
The Unification Ministry said it continues efforts to secure the detainees’ release and last raised the issue during high-level talks in 2018. Family members said the current minister recently met with them and expressed a desire to restart dialogue with the North.
Recalling the Martial Law Crisis
Lee also revisited the events of Yoon’s attempted “self-coup,” praising citizens who gathered outside the National Assembly and helped lawmakers overturn the martial law order. He recounted livestreaming his rush to the Assembly as troops surrounded the building, even climbing a fence to get inside.
Yoon was impeached later that month and formally removed from office in April. He is now imprisoned and facing charges of rebellion and other crimes. In a new statement, Yoon maintained that declaring martial law was necessary to counter liberal forces he accused of disrupting the government.