Cheong Wa Dae expresses hopes of restoring trust with N. Korea following Pyongyang's statement
A view of Cheong Wa Dae / Yonhap
Cheong Wa Dae expressed hope Friday for restoring mutual trust with North Korea and easing tensions, after the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un called the unification minister's recent expression of regret over alleged civilian drone flights into the North "sensible."
The response came hours after Kim Yo-jong assessed Unification Minister Chung Dong-young voicing regret over drone incursions into North Korea as "sensible behavior" and urged Seoul to take steps to prevent a recurrence.
"The two Koreas need to restore trust by easing tensions through mutual communication," a senior presidential official said, adding the two sides "should refrain from actions that undermine the precious peace between them."
During a speech at a Catholic Mass on Tuesday, Chung expressed regret over the drone dispatches from the South on Jan. 4 and in September, claimed by Pyongyang last month.
The recent exchange of messages between Seoul and Pyongyang was seen as a positive development in the frayed inter-Korean ties, as the Lee Jae Myung administration seeks to resume dialogue to ease military tensions and improve relations.