(LEA) N. Korean official says Kim Yo-jong's statement on S. Korea is 'clear warning' | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
OK (ATTN: ADDS more details in paras 4, 6-9) SEOUL, April 7 (Yonhap) -- A North Korean official said Tuesday that a statement by Kim Yo-jong, issued after President Lee Jae Myung expressed regret over drone incursions, should be seen as a clear warning, dismissing Seoul's response as a "wishful interpretation." Jang Kum-chol, North Korea's first vice foreign minister, issued a statement after Seoul officials positively assessed Kim's statement Monday. The powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un described Lee as "frank and broad-minded" following his expression of regret over drone incursions by individuals into the North. Jang said the South Korean side's interpretation of the statement as an "unprecedented favorable response" would amount to a "pipe dream" and a "wishful interpretation," "The core of the statement was a clear warning," Jang said, adding that he interpreted Kim Yo-jong's message as a call for South Korea to acknowledge its "wrongdoing" and refrain from approaching North Korea. The sharp response came after Kang Hoon-sik, the presidential chief of staff, said Lee's expression of regret over drone flights to North Korea demonstrated his "strong" will to restore trust between the two Koreas and ease military tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

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(ATTN: ADDS more details in paras 4, 6-9)
SEOUL, April 7 (Yonhap) -- A North Korean official said Tuesday that a statement by Kim Yo-jong, issued after President Lee Jae Myung expressed regret over drone incursions, should be seen as a clear warning, dismissing Seoul's response as a "wishful interpretation."
Jang Kum-chol, North Korea's first vice foreign minister, issued a statement after Seoul officials positively assessed Kim's statement Monday. The powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un described Lee as "frank and broad-minded" following his expression of regret over drone incursions by individuals into the North.
Jang said the South Korean side's interpretation of the statement as an "unprecedented favorable response" would amount to a "pipe dream" and a "wishful interpretation,"
"The core of the statement was a clear warning," Jang said, adding that he interpreted Kim Yo-jong's message as a call for South Korea to acknowledge its "wrongdoing" and refrain from approaching North Korea.
He said South Korea's identity as North Korea's "most hostile state" remains unchanged, regardless of Seoul officials' remarks or actions, citing South Korea's participation in U.N. resolutions condemning North Korean human rights violations.
President Lee Jae Myung (L) speaks during a Cabinet meeting at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on April 6, 2026. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)
North Korea condemned the recent U.N. resolutions on its human rights record as a "grave political provocation," warning that countries supporting the measures would be taken into account.
The sharp response came after Kang Hoon-sik, the presidential chief of staff, said Lee's expression of regret over drone flights to North Korea demonstrated his "strong" will to restore trust between the two Koreas and ease military tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
Experts said North Korea's swift response to Lee's remarks appears to indicate that Pyongyang still attaches importance to inter-Korean relations despite its hard-line stance toward Seoul, raising cautious hope for progress in inter-Korean ties.
In her latest statement, Kim referred to Lee as "president of the Republic of Korea," marking what is believed to be the first time Pyongyang has used his official title since he took office in June last year.
ejkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
Keywords
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#Kim Yo-jong
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(LEA) N. Korean official says Kim Yo-jong's statement on S. Korea is 'clear warning'

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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- The sharp response came after Kang Hoon-sik, the presidential chief of staff, said Lee's expression of regret over drone flights to North Korea demonstrated his "strong" will to restore trust between the two Koreas and ease military tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
- Experts said North Korea's swift response to Lee's remarks appears to indicate that Pyongyang still attaches importance to inter-Korean relations despite its hard-line stance toward Seoul, raising cautious hope for progress in inter-Korean ties.
- Korea's swift response to Lee's regret over drone flights as 'meaningful progress' Most Viewed More Most Viewed Photos N.

### Areas for Consideration
- In her latest statement, Kim referred to Lee as "president of the Republic of Korea," marking what is believed to be the first time Pyongyang has used his official title since he took office in June last year. ejkim@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #N Korea #Kim Yo-jong Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel (LEAD) BTS tops Billboard albums chart for 2nd week with 'Arirang,' a first in K-pop BTS to drop 'Come Over,' exclusive new track on 'Arirang' LP Lee voices hope for peace in Easter message (LEAD) Trump calls on countries to 'go get your own oil' from Strait of Hormuz, or buy it from U.S.

### Implications
- OK (ATTN: ADDS more details in paras 4, 6-9) SEOUL, April 7 (Yonhap) -- A North Korean official said Tuesday that a statement by Kim Yo-jong, issued after President Lee Jae Myung expressed regret over drone incursions, should be seen as a clear warning, dismissing Seoul's response as a "wishful interpretation." Jang Kum-chol, North Korea's first vice foreign minister, issued a statement after Seoul officials positively assessed Kim's statement Monday.
- The sharp response came after Kang Hoon-sik, the presidential chief of staff, said Lee's expression of regret over drone flights to North Korea demonstrated his "strong" will to restore trust between the two Koreas and ease military tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
- In her latest statement, Kim referred to Lee as "president of the Republic of Korea," marking what is believed to be the first time Pyongyang has used his official title since he took office in June last year. ejkim@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #N Korea #Kim Yo-jong Articles with issue keywords Most Liked Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel (LEAD) BTS tops Billboard albums chart for 2nd week with 'Arirang,' a first in K-pop BTS to drop 'Come Over,' exclusive new track on 'Arirang' LP Lee voices hope for peace in Easter message (LEAD) Trump calls on countries to 'go get your own oil' from Strait of Hormuz, or buy it from U.S.
- Most Saved Oscar-winning 'KPop Demon Hunters' directors promise 'bigger,' more 'eventful' sequel (LEAD) Trump calls on countries to 'go get your own oil' from Strait of Hormuz, or buy it from U.S. (3rd LD) Lee says S.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers korea, korean, north topics. Notable strengths include discussion of korea. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 658.