Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, said Monday that President Lee Jae Myung is “frank and broad-minded” following his expression of regret over unauthorized drone flights into the North. Earlier in the day, Lee expressed regret over the incident at a Cabinet meeting, saying “Although this was not an act by our government, I express regret to the North Korean side over the unnecessary military tension caused by such reckless behavior.” In a statement released by the North’s state media under her name, Kim, who serves as department director of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party, said Pyongyang “appreciated it as a very fortunate and wise behavior.” “Our head of state commented on it as a manifestation of a frank and broad-minded man’s attitude,” the statement read. However, she also warned Seoul “should stop any reckless provocation” against Pyongyang and “refrain from any attempt at contact, instead of paying lip-service to the utmost importance of peace and security.”

