On the 18th, Jeong Dong-young, the Minister of Unification in South Korea, held a press conference that coincided with the last day of the Lunar New Year holiday, an intentionally chosen timing aimed at influencing North Korea's upcoming policy announcement during the 9th Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea. Following the recent drone infiltration incident, there emerged a circular flow of indirect communications including multiple statements from Kim Yo-jong, Deputy Director of the Workers' Party's Central Committee, and a directive from President Yoon Seok-youl for a thorough investigation. The South Korean government seeks to transform this unintended confrontation into a constructive dialogue to restore trust between the North and South.

During the press conference, Jeong expressed his aspirations for the authorities from both Koreas to engage in dialogue, invoking the saying that even the Daedong River in Pyongyang will thaw on the following day, suggesting the potential for mutual trust to be rebuilt like ice melting in spring. He emphasized that both the North and South share the desire not to witness warfare or tension on the Korean Peninsula, reiterating President Yoon's commitment to pursue peace and stable coexistence without conflict.

Jeong's statements also aimed to address the demands put forth by Kim Yo-jong in her recent public communications, which called for acknowledgment of the drone incident, transparency, an apology, and prevention measures. His reaction to Kim's expressions of regret and acknowledgment signifies that there may now be a transitional phase where the heightened tensions from the earlier drone incident can begin to ease as both parties engage in more open discussions towards improving their relationships.