Ministry of Unification Rebuts US Criticism of Anti-North Korea Leaflet Ban as "Minimal Protective Measure"

US House Representative Expresses Concern Over "Ignoring Civil and Political Freedoms"
Ministry of Unification States "Human Rights Are Respected as Non-Negotiable Values"

On the night of June 22, a balloon sent by a North Korean defector organization for leaflet distribution fell on a hillside near Magok-ri, Seomyeon, Hongcheon-gun on the 23rd, and the police are collecting it.
The discovered balloon for leaflet distribution is 2 to 3 meters in size and has a photo of North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un and his family attached.

In response to concerns raised in the U.S. Congress regarding South Korea's law banning the distribution of anti-North Korea leaflets (an amendment to the Inter-Korean Relations Development Act), the Ministry of Unification rebutted on the 14th, stating, "This recent legal amendment is the minimum measure to protect the lives and safety of our citizens in border areas."

A Ministry of Unification official said on the same day, "The government respects human rights as a non-negotiable value."

Earlier, on the 11th (local time), U.S. Republican Congressman Chris Smith issued a statement expressing concern over the movement to pass the law banning the distribution of anti-North Korea leaflets in South Korea, calling it a disregard for civil liberties and an appeasement of communist North Korea.

Smith, co-chair of the bipartisan Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission and a representative of New Jersey's 4th district since 1981, said, "It is worrisome to consider criminalizing acts aimed at promoting democracy and providing mental and humanitarian support to residents suffering under one of the most brutal communist dictatorships."

He claimed that the anti-leaflet law is "a clear violation of South Korea's constitution and obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)" and questioned, "Why are President Moon Jae-in's congressional collaborators ignoring their duty to protect civil and political rights?"

He also demanded that if the law passes, the U.S. State Department should critically reassess South Korea in its human rights and international religious freedom reports and convene a separate hearing. He expressed hope that the bill would be recognized not only as a deviation and poorly planned but also as a frightening development in terms of democracy and freedom.

Congressman Smith stated, "There are serious concerns about the direction of South Korea under President Moon," and added, "We have seen local and national governments use the COVID-19 response as a pretext to curtail religious worship and freedom of the press."

A Ministry of Unification official said, "Since discussions are currently underway in the National Assembly, we will observe the legislative process."

Meanwhile, regarding the resumption of Panmunjom tours, which were halted again due to the spread of COVID-19, the Ministry of Unification maintained a cautious stance.

The official said, "We decided to temporarily suspend the tours as a preemptive strengthening measure to ensure the safety of participants and prevent nationwide spread," adding, "We will monitor the COVID-19 situation and, upon improvement, decide on the timing of resuming tours in consultation with quarantine authorities and the United Nations Command."

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