Seoul: The unification ministry held discussions with related government agencies on Monday to address the prevention of anti-Pyongyang leaflet campaigns and to establish punitive measures for violations, aligning with President Lee Jae-myung's directive.
According to Yonhap News Agency, President Lee issued orders on Saturday to curb the "illegal" distribution of leaflets critical of North Korea, aiming to mend the strained relations with the North. The meeting was led by the chief responsible for human rights affairs at the unification ministry and included representatives from the Prime Minister's Office, intelligence agency, and the interior ministry.
Earlier this month, the ministry expressed "regret" over a leaflet launch conducted by families of individuals abducted by North Korea, urging them to cease their activities. This appeal marked a significant moment as it followed the Constitutional Court's ruling in September 2023, which deemed the law banning leaflet campaigns unconstitutional, emphasizing freedom of expression.
During the meeting, attendees were expected to evaluate strategies to restrict leaflet campaigns and enforce penalties under existing laws. Discussions may also address criticisms that the government might be overly limiting freedom of expression. Previously, the land ministry indicated that launching balloons weighing over 2 kilograms could breach the Aviation Safety Act, which governs drone operations.
The Act on Disaster and Safety Management bans unauthorized entry into designated risk-prone areas. Last year, Gyeonggi Province's local government identified Paju, Gimpo, and Yeoncheon County-border regions with North Korea-as such zones, intensifying police surveillance there.
North Korea has expressed strong opposition to leaflet campaigns by defectors and activists in the South, fearing the spread of external information could destabilize the Kim Jong-un regime. Critics argue that these campaigns could escalate tensions between the Koreas and jeopardize the safety of residents in border areas.
Despite President Lee's strong stance, the families of abductees in North Korea have vowed to continue their leaflet activities unless the government genuinely addresses the abductee issue. They have proposed halting their campaigns if President Lee meets with and consoles mothers of abduction victims and commits to discussing abductees' fates in future inter-Korean dialogues.
President Lee has pledged to end both the leaflet launches and military propaganda loudspeaker broadcasts at the border, as part of his election promises to reduce tensions on the Korean Peninsula and enhance relations with Pyongyang. Recently, South Korea's military ceased its loudspeaker broadcasts targeting North Korea, with North Korea reciprocating by suspending its broadcasts directed at the South.