What’s behind sudden thaw as North, South Korea exchange warm words?

The latest indirect exchange of comments between North and South Korea has raised hopes of easing tensions on the Korean peninsula even as conflict roils other parts of the globe.Hours after South Korean President Lee Jae Myung expressed regret over drone incursions into the North on Monday, Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, issued a warm statement.The powerful politician welcomed Lee’s remarks as “extremely fortunate and a wise move”, citing her brother as praising Lee’s attitude as “frank and broad-minded”.At a cabinet meeting on Monday, Lee expressed regret over the drone flights, which Seoul attributed to individuals, saying such “provocative” acts had unnecessarily heightened military tensions with Pyongyang.“The rapidly shifting global landscape requires responsible actions by both sides to ensure peace on the Korean peninsula,” he said.South Korea President Lee Jae Myung attends a cabinet meeting at the presidential office in Seoul on Monday. Photo: Yonhap/EPAKim Yo-jong swiftly responded, saying: “Our head of state assessed it as demonstrating the attitude of a frank and broad-minded person.”