Cheong "Strict Response to North Korea Leaflet Distribution... Will Continue to Comply with Inter-Korean Agreements" (Update)

Kim Yoo-geun, the First Deputy Director of the National Security Office at the Blue House and Secretary-General of the National Security Council (NSC), is briefing the government’s policy on the distribution of leaflets and goods to North Korea at the Blue House on the afternoon of the 11th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Son Sun-hee] The Blue House expressed deep regret on the 11th over "some private organizations continuing to distribute leaflets and goods to North Korea," stating, "The government will thoroughly crack down on the distribution of leaflets and goods to North Korea from now on and will respond strictly according to the law in case of violations." This statement came seven days after Kim Yo-jong, the First Deputy Director of the Workers' Party, issued a strong criticism of South Korea on the 4th.

Kim Yoo-geun, Secretary General of the National Security Council (NSC) at the Blue House (First Deputy Director of the National Security Office), held a briefing at the Press Center in the afternoon and said, "Our government will continue to abide by all agreements between the South and the North to maintain peace on the Korean Peninsula and prevent accidental military clashes."

Secretary General Kim explained, "The recent distribution of leaflets and goods, which has become a major issue between the South and the North, is an act that was agreed to be stopped under inter-Korean agreements such as the 2018 'Panmunjom Declaration,' the 1972 'July 4th South-North Joint Statement and the Joint Announcement of the South-North Coordination Committee,' the 1992 'First Chapter Implementation Annex Agreement of the South-North Basic Agreement,' and the 2004 'June 4th Agreement.' Our government has long ceased all distribution of leaflets and goods to North Korea, and the North side also stopped distributing leaflets to the South after the 2018 'Panmunjom Declaration.'"

However, pointing out that distribution activities have continued despite the government's crackdown, he criticized, "This not only violates domestic laws such as the Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Act, the Public Waters Act, and the Aviation Safety Act, but also does not conform to inter-Korean agreements. It does not help our efforts to achieve peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula."

Secretary General Kim warned, "We hope that private organizations will strictly comply with domestic laws."

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