Seoul: The ruling Democratic Party (DP) has urged a "stern" response to a civic group's recent effort to send anti-Pyongyang propaganda leaflets into North Korea. This call to action comes after the group launched leaflets from Ganghwa Island in Incheon, a location near the inter-Korean border, despite ongoing appeals from the current government led by Lee Jae-myung to cease such activities, which have been met with strong opposition from Pyongyang.

According to Yonhap News Agency, DP spokesperson Rep. Hwang Jung-a emphasized in a written briefing that the distribution of anti-North leaflets is an illegal act that endangers the safety of border residents and raises military tensions on the Korean Peninsula. She highlighted the potential consequences, including instability in financial markets and economic fundamentals, resulting from heightened inter-Korean tensions.

Hwang suggested that various safety-related laws, such as the Aviation Safety Act, should be considered to impose strict penalties on those involved in the leaflet campaigns. This follows an order by Lee on Saturday for officials to devise measures to prevent the launch of such leaflets in border regions.

Since assuming office in early June, President Lee has consistently advocated for an end to leaflet campaigns by civic groups and has suspended the military's anti-North loudspeaker broadcasts along the border. These actions align with his presidential campaign promises to reduce military tensions and pursue dialogue with North Korea.