North Korean leader's sister calls Seoul 'despicable' after DMZ apology demand

Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un, continued to deny any involvement in the recent land mine blast inside the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on Friday. The statement, released by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), echoed her earlier denial of responsibility this week, contradicting South Korean military findings that pointed the blame directly at North Korea.

South Korea's military had urged Pyongyang to issue an apology and cease fortification activities along the border. Kim Yo-jong dismissed the South Korean findings as "groundless" during her address, claiming that South Korea's intention is to "close the door to South Korea for good." She further mocked Seoul's request for an apology, characterizing their response as a "clown show."

President Lee Jae Myung had pledged to persistently seek practical solutions to reduce military tensions with North Korea, but Kim's continued denial of responsibility added another layer of tension to the already strained relations between the two Koreas.