Park Won-soon "Distribution of Leaflets to North Korea May Harm Inter-Korean Peace"

"Would North Korean Authorities Like Leaflet Distribution in This Situation?"
North Korea Orders Cutoff of Inter-Korean Communication Line from Noon on the 9th

Mayor Park Won-soon of Seoul / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon expressed his opinion on the controversy surrounding the distribution of anti-North Korea leaflets by private organizations, stating, "If it is for the advancement of inter-Korean relations, such behavior is undesirable."

On the 9th, Mayor Park appeared on BBS Radio's 'Park Kyung-soo's Morning Journal' and responded to the question, "Is it desirable to prevent the distribution of leaflets?" by saying, "It could harm the greater goal of peace in inter-Korean relations."

He added, "There can be plenty of criticism regarding North Korean human rights issues, but if leaflets are distributed in this situation, would the North Korean authorities be pleased?" and "Looking at past cases such as Germany or Finland-Russia relations, there have been many instances where the media or citizens exercised restraint for national interests."

Mayor Park emphasized, "Inter-Korean relations are not about crossing a mountain but a mountain range," and said, "I hoped a new order would come, but recently, due to several small issues, the situation has become difficult. We should not be swayed by every little thing, but if we steadily make efforts together, good days will come."

Earlier, on the 4th, Kim Yo-jong, First Deputy Director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of North Korea, warned in a spokesperson's statement that if the South Korean government allows the distribution of anti-North Korea leaflets, it must be prepared for retaliatory measures such as the closure of the inter-Korean joint liaison office, complete dismantling of the Kaesong Industrial Complex, and the termination of the inter-Korean military agreement.

Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the floor countermeasure meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the morning of the 9th. / Photo by Yonhap News

North Korean state media 'Korean Central News Agency' reported on the morning of the 9th, "From 12:00 on June 9, 2020, the communication lines maintained through the inter-Korean joint liaison office, the East-West Sea communication lines between the North and South military authorities, the inter-Korean communication test line, and the direct communication line between the Central Committee headquarters of the Workers' Party and the Blue House will be completely cut off and discarded."

The report added, "We have reached the conclusion that there is no longer any reason to sit down with the South Korean authorities or discuss any issues," and "This is the first step in completely closing all contact spaces with the South Koreans and eliminating unnecessary things."

Within the ruling party, voices are emerging calling for legislation to ban the distribution of anti-North Korea leaflets.

Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 8th, "Once the formation of the National Assembly is completed, we will complete legislation to ban the distribution of anti-North Korea leaflets," and added, "To protect the lives and safety of residents in border areas and for peace on the Korean Peninsula, the harmful distribution of anti-North Korea leaflets must be stopped."

Kim emphasized, "The issue of distributing anti-North Korea leaflets is not a matter for political strife," and said, "The opposition party should approach the issue responsibly, not opposing just for the sake of opposition."

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