President Lee Jae-myung on the 20th addressed North Korea's claim that a Korean drone infiltrated its airspace, saying, "It's not confirmed, but what has emerged so far is that a civilian arbitrarily sent a drone into North Korea," adding, "It is no different from an individual arbitrarily committing an act tantamount to initiating war against the other state." He added, "We must impose stern sanctions so this kind of thing can never happen again."
Presiding over a Cabinet meeting at the Blue House that morning, Lee said, "It is doubtful how one could imagine civilians sending drones to the North to conduct intelligence-gathering activities. There is even talk that a state agency was involved," noting that there is a legal provision under which this can be deemed a "pre-war act that triggers war" and punished. He said especially that such civilian acts are "the same as North Korea firing guns."
He also took issue with the military's tracking capabilities, including radar coverage. Lee, addressing Minister of National Defense Ahn Gyu-baek, said, "Even with advanced science and technology and enhanced defense capabilities, are we unable to even check how many times a drone crosses over?" He added, "According to this person (the civilian who claims to have sent the drone), it was sent three times; how could those on guard duty fail to check that?"
Lee said, "It means there is a hole in the system somewhere," adding, "If necessary, facilities and equipment must be improved. If this unnecessarily heightens tensions and creates a confrontational mood between the two Koreas, it will also negatively affect the economy." He continued, "I ask that this be managed well so that trust between the two Koreas is not broken and hostile feelings are not heightened, and that the investigation proceed swiftly."