SOUTH KOREAN President Lee Jae Myung said today that he’s weighing up a possible apology to North Korea over suspicions that his ousted right-wing predecessor intentionally sought to raise military tensions in the build up to his brief martial law declaration in December 2024.

Speaking to reporters on the first anniversary of former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s ill-fated power grab, Mr Lee stressed his desire to repair ties with North Korea.

A special prosecutor charged Mr Yoon and two of his top defence officials last month over allegations that he ordered drone flights over North Korea to stoke tensions.

South Korean media also reported on Monday that South Korea’s military under Mr Yoon’s presidency flew balloons carrying propaganda leaflets across the border.

Despite possible domestic political repercussions, Mr Lee insists that he personally wishes to apologise to North Korea.

He said: “I do think we need to apologise, but I haven’t been able to say so because I worry it could be used to smear (me) as pro-North Korean or spark political ideological battles” in South Korea.

Since taking office in June, President Lee has taken steps to ease inter-Korean tensions, including turning off front-line loudspeakers that blared K-pop and world news and banning activists from flying balloons carrying propaganda leaflets across the border.

North Korea has so far ignored President Lee’s overtures.

The South Korean leader has said that he regrets North Korea’s stance, but has promised to continue to make peace gestures.

President Lee said that the suspension of regular South Korea-United States military drills, which North Korea views as invasion rehearsals, could be an option to consider to convince Pyongyang to return to talks.

Such a proposal is likely to draw criticism from rightwingers in South Korea as well as the US, who believe the country must maintain a strong military readiness against North Korea.