‘Anti-North Korea Leaflet Distribution Ban Law’ Passed Solely by the Ruling Party in the Foreign Affairs Committee

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] On the 2nd, the Democratic Party of Korea unilaterally passed the ‘Law Prohibiting the Distribution of Leaflets to North Korea’ at the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee.

Democratic Party members of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee approved the ‘Partial Amendment to the Act on the Development of Inter-Korean Relations,’ which was introduced by Chairman Song Young-gil, during the full committee meeting that morning. Opposition party members from the People Power Party and the People’s Party expressed their opposition to the bill and all left the meeting room.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The amendment includes provisions that impose up to three years imprisonment or a fine of up to 30 million won for acts such as distributing leaflets to North Korea near the Military Demarcation Line, which violate inter-Korean agreements. The ruling party argued that banning leaflet distribution to North Korea is necessary to ensure safety in border areas, while the opposition countered that it constitutes a ‘restriction of fundamental rights.’

Chairman Song responded to the opposition’s claims by stating, “Freedom of expression is fully guaranteed. Even if defectors call President Moon Jae-in a communist at Gwanghwamun, they cannot be arrested, nor can they be arrested for openly insulting him.” He emphasized, “The reason for restricting this is because residents near the Military Demarcation Line in border areas are crying out that their livelihoods are threatened.”

Kim Young-ho, the ruling party’s secretary of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, also stated, “While freedom of expression is important, the ruling party has a responsibility to protect the lives and safety of the people above all,” adding, “This is an issue the ruling party cannot overlook.”

Opposition members from the People Power Party responded with opposing debates. Assemblyman Cho Tae-yong criticized, “Banning the sending of leaflets to North Korea, which falls under the constitutional right to freedom of expression, is an unprecedented attempt that no previous government has considered,” and added, “Sending leaflets to North Korea is the minimum effort for the democratization of North Korea.” Assemblyman Tae Young-ho also emphasized, “Will the Law Prohibiting Leaflet Distribution to North Korea really prevent further provocations from North Korea? This law is excessive under any justification.”

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Opposition members expressed their opposition by all leaving the meeting, abstaining from the vote. Consequently, the Democratic Party passed the bill unilaterally. The opposition then held a press conference at the communication center, criticizing it as “an unprecedented submissive incident where even the government and National Assembly of the Republic of Korea moved at a single word from Kim Yo-jong.” They demanded an apology from the chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee for the unilateral handling and called for the suspension of attempts to pass the bill in the plenary session, warning that if their demands are not met, they will consider all possible measures including filing a constitutional review petition.

Opposition party members of the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee are holding a press conference on the Prohibition of Leaflet Distribution to North Korea Act at the National Assembly Communication Office on the 2nd. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

After the press conference, Kim Seok-ki, the opposition party’s secretary, told reporters, “All People Power Party members raised issues about why the bill should not be passed and made a reasonable request for further discussion, but the Democratic Party ultimately pushed it through unilaterally because they have the numbers,” and questioned, “Even if this law passes, it won’t open a big breakthrough in inter-Korean relations, and we cannot predict how North Korea will react.”

Assemblyman Cho, who also participated in the press conference, expressed concern, saying, “If a law that infringes on freedom of expression, such as banning leaflet distribution, is legislated, it could become another point of friction with the Biden administration in the United States.”

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