Defense Spokesperson Choi Hyun-soo: "Ministry of Unification to Decide on North Korea Leaflet Activities"

Defense Ministry spokesperson Choi Hyun-soo is announcing the launch of the joint military-civilian investigation headquarters to investigate the Martial Law document of the Defense Security Command at the briefing room of the Ministry of National Defense building in Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the 23rd. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu Reporter] The Ministry of National Defense stated regarding the North Korean Workers' Party First Deputy Director Kim Yo-jong's critical statement toward South Korea, "Our position that the military agreement must be upheld remains unchanged."

On the 4th, spokesperson Choi Hyun-soo responded at the regular briefing to the question, "Is the distribution of leaflets to the North a military or non-military act?" by saying, "The Ministry of Unification will make that judgment."

Regarding the question, "Do you intend to protest North Korea's violations of the military agreement such as artillery fire on Changrin-do and shooting at the Guard Post (GP)?" he said, "We have clearly expressed our protest stance on previous incidents," and emphasized, "Our position that the September 19 military agreement must be upheld remains unchanged."

The Ministry of National Defense protested to the North last November, regarding the coastal artillery firing on Changrin-do in the West Sea and the North Korean army's shooting at the South Korean Guard Post (GP), as violations of the September 19 military agreement.

Spokesperson Choi emphasized in response to some criticisms that the military agreement's effectiveness is diminished since the North first violated the September 19 military agreement, saying, "We believe there are parts that are effectively being upheld." The preamble of Article 1 of the September 19 military agreement states, "The South and the North shall completely cease all hostile acts against each other, which are the sources of military tension and clashes in all areas including land, sea, and air." Furthermore, Clause 3 of Article 1 establishes a no-fly zone for all types of aircraft over the Military Demarcation Line (MDL), and prohibits balloons from being released within 25 km of the MDL. The term 'balloon' specified in the military agreement refers to reconnaissance tools for military purposes.

Opinions differ on whether balloons carrying leaflets to the North fall under the category of 'balloons.' The Ministry of National Defense stated, "It is not appropriate for the military to comment on the leaflet distribution by civilian organizations toward the North," but added, "The distribution of leaflets by civilian organizations to the North escalates tensions in the border area and poses risks to the lives and property of residents in the border region, and therefore must be stopped."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.