North Korean leader Kim Jong-un delivers a speech at a ceremony marking the presentation of 600mm large-caliber multiple rocket launchers to military workers ahead of the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea, Wednesday, as reported by Korean Central TV the next day. Yonhap

A rare volley of official comments between Seoul and Pyongyang over alleged South Korean drone incursions into North Korea has raised cautious hopes of renewed communication, as Seoul steps up efforts to revive long-stalled inter-Korean ties.

South Korea's Ministry of Unification said Thursday that it acknowleges the North's response to Seoul's official comments regarding the drone incident.

"We take note of the North's swift response to the government's expression of regret over the drone incident and its announcement of measures to prevent a recurrence,” a ministry official said. "The preventive steps announced yesterday by the unification minister are intended to safeguard the safety and peace of both the South and the North."

Cheong Wa Dae also commented on the North's response, saying it hopes "both sides will refrain from actions that escalate tensions in border areas and will work together to build peace."

A day earlier,Unification Minister Chung Dong-youngannounced steps aimed at preventing civilian drone intrusions into the North, including reviewing the reinstatement of no-fly zones along the border as part of a partial revival of the suspended 2018 inter-Korean military agreement.

Kim Yo-jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, said she "highly appreciates" Chung's acknowledgment of the drone intrusions and his willingness to prevent a recurrence.

"Such a foolish act of imperiling oneself should not be repeated," Kim said in a statement carried by the North’s official Korean Central News Agency.

Gaepung County, North Hwanghae Province, North Korea, is seen from an observatory in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, Feb. 8. Yonhap

She also said the North's military leadership "will take a step for heightening vigilance in all sectors along the southern border with the ROK," referring to South Korea by its official name, the Republic of Korea. "The border with the enemy should be firmly guarded," she added.

Source: Korea Times News