North Korean leader Kim Jong Un issued a rare apology on Friday over the killing of a South Korean official who was apparently trying to defect near the rivals’ disputed sea boundary.

“Comrade Chairman Kim Jong Un asked to convey the message that he is very sorry about creating a huge disappointment to our southern compatriots and President Moon Jae-In because of this unfortunate incident that happened in our waters,” a letter sent to South Korea’s presidential Blue House said.

It was sent by the Unification Division, the North Korean body in charge of relations with its southern neighbour.

It is extremely unusual for a North Korean leader to apologise on any issue.

But it came after South Korea's Defense Ministry said Thursday that the North had shot and burned the body of a South Korean official who disappeared from a government boat earlier in the week.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in called the incident “shocking” and “very regretful,” as it fueled anti-North sentiment and sparked a public backlash.

The North Korean letter admitted that after initially firing blanks its military had shot “some ten rounds” of gunfire into the unidentified “intruder,” as he did not reveal his identity and appeared to flee.

It added that for safety reasons due to the coronavirus pandemic, they had burnt the floating device he washed up on and did not find his body. (NBC News)