People Power Party: "Stop the Anti-North Korea Leaflet Law, Heed the US Congress Warning"

"North Korea's Intimidation... Government Steps In to Restrict 'Freedom of Expression'"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] On the 14th, members of the People Power Party belonging to the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee stated regarding the Act on Prohibition of Sending Leaflets to North Korea, "The Moon Jae-in administration must seriously heed the warnings from the U.S. Congress that it undermines democracy and human rights, and immediately halt the promotion of this law."

In a statement released that day, they said, "U.S. Representative Chris Smith strongly criticized the Democratic Party of Korea's push to pass the Act on Prohibition of Sending Leaflets to North Korea and the anti-democratic nature of the Moon Jae-in administration on the 11th," adding, "This aligns with the efforts of People Power Party members who stayed up all night attempting to block it through a filibuster (legitimate parliamentary obstruction by unlimited debate)."

They pointed out, "Representative Smith stated that if the bill is finally passed, he would request a critical re-evaluation of South Korea's protection of democratic values in the annual human rights report and the religious freedom report issued by the U.S. Department of State. He also warned that South Korea would be placed on the list of countries under surveillance and declared that he would convene a hearing to investigate the South Korean government's failure to protect civil and political rights," emphasizing, "This indicates that the human rights situation in South Korea is regressing and that very concerning events are occurring."

They stated, "Is there any other absurd case where the government restricts the basic rights and freedom of expression of our people because North Korea threatens us?" and added, "As a successful democracy and a country recognized for advanced human rights, this is a very shameful matter for the Republic of Korea."

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