South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Monday expressed regret to North Korea over tensions caused by a civilian drone incursion, after an investigation determined that a National Intelligence Service employee and active-duty soldiers were involved in the incident.

“Although this was not the intention of our government, I express regret to the North over the unnecessary military tensions caused by the irresponsible and reckless actions of some individuals,” he said during a Cabinet meeting.

Pyongyang previously accusedSouth Korea of sending unmanned aerial vehicles into its airspace in Sept. 2025 and Jan. 2026, claiming the drones conducted surveillance