Government: "North Korea Leaflet Distribution Must Balance Freedom of Expression and Local Residents' Safety" Initiates Prohibition Law

Under Current Law, Crackdown and Punishment of Anti-North Korea Leaflet Distribution Not Possible
Leaflet Distribution Poses Safety Threats to Residents in Border Areas
Distribution Groups Emphasize Freedom of Expression, Highlighting Value Conflicts
Ministry of Unification: "Comprehensive Consideration of Safety, Basic Rights, and Environment"

Leaflets sent to North Korea by the Free North Korea Movement Alliance on May 31

On the 4th, after North Korea called for a ban on the distribution of leaflets to the North, the government immediately announced that it is preparing institutional solutions to address the issue of leaflet distribution. Since the distribution of leaflets to North Korea involves constitutional fundamental rights such as freedom of expression and also threatens the lives and safety of residents in border areas, the plan is to create legislation that harmoniously addresses both issues.

Yeo Sang-gi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Unification, stated on the same day regarding the leaflet distribution, "We are already considering effective tension reduction measures that can fundamentally improve the tension-raising acts in border areas," and added, "We are preparing plans to revise the law."

The government emphasized that the distribution of leaflets to North Korea is being carried out from a comprehensive perspective that considers the implementation of agreements between the South and North Korean leaders, the safety of residents in border areas, and environmental issues.

An official from the Ministry of Unification explained, "Around 2014-2015, there were instances of North Korean artillery fire due to leaflet distribution, and physical clashes occurred between residents in border areas and leaflet distribution groups," adding, "The actual suffering of residents has accumulated." In fact, residents in border areas have frequently clashed with leaflet distribution groups, even reporting the leaflets as illegal waste.

However, under current law, there are no provisions to regulate or punish leaflet distribution. Although clashes between distribution groups and law enforcement have often occurred on site, these were results under the 'Police Duties Execution Act.'

The Ministry of Unification official explained, "If there is a clear and imminent threat such as physical clashes with local residents, it is possible to restrain (leaflet distribution)." However, since the Police Duties Execution Act was not created to prevent leaflet distribution, there have been considerable difficulties on site. The official said, "It is difficult to judge what constitutes a clear and imminent threat."

The government plans to prepare legislation that encompasses this reality and freedom of expression. The Ministry of Unification official said, "The most difficult part in considering solutions to the leaflet issue was related to freedom of expression," but added, "Freedom of expression needs to be harmonized with other values such as the lives, safety, property, living conditions of residents in border areas, and regional environmental pollution."

However, the government is not considering individual legislation that deals only with the leaflet issue. The Ministry of Unification official explained, "In the process of reviewing legislation to promote peaceful use of border areas and establish a peace foundation on the Korean Peninsula, we plan to include the leaflet issue in the most appropriate legislation."

The North Korean defector organization, the Free North Korea Movement Alliance, announced on the 1st that on the 31st of last month, they sent 500,000 leaflets titled "Kim Jong-un Threatens to Launch New Strategic Nuclear Weapons," 50 booklets, 2,000 one-dollar bills, and 1,000 memory cards (SD cards) attached to 20 large balloons from Wolgot-ri and Seongdong-ri in Gimpo City toward North Korea.
Photo by a defector organization distributing leaflets to North Korea.

Regarding criticism that the government's announcement to promote legislation related to leaflet distribution came only four hours after North Korea's statement, suggesting the government is being cautious of North Korea, the government stated this is not true.

An official from the Ministry of Unification explained, "Leaflet distribution, which is greatly affected by the wind, tends to be concentrated from June to August, and the leaflet issue has repeated every summer," adding, "We have thought that a fundamental solution to this recurring problem is necessary." He emphasized, "In the Panmunjom Declaration, the South and North agreed to cease all hostile acts including leaflet distribution, and also agreed to make the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) a peace zone," and added, "We have been making efforts to prepare institutional measures reflecting this situation."

Regarding a group’s announcement to distribute one million leaflets to North Korea on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the June 25th Korean War, the government plans to consult with related agencies such as the police to prepare response measures.

The Ministry of Unification official said, "Until laws or institutional improvements are made, we have no choice but to respond within the framework of current laws," and added, "We will communicate with the relevant groups and explain the government’s position." The government plans to focus on persuading that leaflet distribution violates the spirit of the Panmunjom Declaration and does not help the development of inter-Korean relations.

The official said, "There is no law to restrict leaflet distribution itself," but added, "We plan to cooperate by sharing situations with related departments such as reconnaissance to prepare for dangerous situations."

Kim Yo-jong, First Deputy Director of the Workers' Party and younger sister of North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un

Meanwhile, Kim Yo-jong, First Deputy Director of the Workers' Party of North Korea, expressed displeasure early that day over defectors distributing leaflets to North Korea and issued a statement mentioning the possibility of terminating the inter-Korean military agreement.

Kim Yo-jong stated, "If the South Korean authorities do not take appropriate measures, they must be fully prepared for the complete dismantling of the Kaesong Industrial Complex following the suspension of tourism to Mount Kumgang, the closure of the inter-Korean joint liaison office, or the nullification of the meaningless inter-Korean military agreement."

She added, "Before making pitiful excuses, they should at least create laws to stop the clownish acts of those trash and firmly prevent such unpleasant incidents from happening in the first place," and warned repeatedly, "Let me make it clear: if they just make more excuses and let this continue, the South Korean authorities will have to pay a harsh price."

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