Kang Kyung-hwa Emphasizes 'People's Life and Safety'... On North Korea Leaflet Ban Law, Says "Freedom of Expression Is Not Absolute"

Appearing on CNN, Reiterates Legitimacy of 'Anti-North Korea Leaflet Distribution Law'... Addresses Some Concerns Within US Congress
"Difficult to Believe North Korea's Claim of No COVID Cases," Reiterates... Urges Cooperation on Quarantine Measures

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha reiterated her position on the 'Prohibition of Leaflet Distribution to North Korea Act (Amendment to the Act on the Development of Inter-Korean Relations),' which passed the National Assembly on the 14th, stating that freedom of expression can be restricted if it threatens the lives and safety of the people. This is interpreted as an official statement in response to strong concerns raised in the U.S. Congress around the passage of the law.

On the 16th (local time), Minister Kang appeared on CNN and, when asked about concerns expressed by some members of the U.S. Congress regarding the Prohibition of Leaflet Distribution to North Korea Act, she emphasized, "Freedom of expression is very important but not absolute," adding, "According to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the scope must be limited, and such limitations apply only when it threatens the lives and safety of the people."

Earlier, on the 14th, the National Assembly passed the amendment to the Act on the Development of Inter-Korean Relations with 187 votes in favor out of 187 members present, despite the absence of People Power Party lawmakers during the vote. The amendment allows for punishment of up to three years imprisonment or a fine of up to 30 million won for acts violating inter-Korean agreements, including distributing leaflets near the Military Demarcation Line and broadcasting loudspeaker messages to North Korea.

In response, Michael McCaul, Republican ranking member of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued a statement immediately after the passage of the Prohibition of Leaflet Distribution to North Korea Act, saying, "Freedom of expression is a core value of democracy," and expressing "concern." McCaul stated, "The U.S. Congress has long supported bipartisan efforts to provide external information to North Korea, which is under a closed dictatorship," adding, "The bright future of the Korean Peninsula depends on North Korea becoming like South Korea, not the other way around." He pointed out that the law infringes on freedom of expression.

In response to concerns from some U.S. lawmakers, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Unification have repeatedly stated that the law is a minimal measure to ensure the safety of residents in border areas. Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Choi Young-sam said at a regular briefing, "The government respects human rights as a non-negotiable value above all else," and added, "Nonetheless, this amendment is also a minimal measure to protect the safety of residents living in our border areas." The Ministry of Unification also emphasized, "This amendment is a minimal measure to protect the lives and safety of our citizens in border areas," and stressed that the government respects human rights as a non-negotiable value.

Additionally, in the interview with CNN, Minister Kang pointed out again regarding the COVID-19 situation in North Korea, "It is hard to believe the North Korean authorities' claim that there are no confirmed cases." This is interpreted as an urging for North Korea to engage in COVID-19 prevention cooperation, which South Korea has continuously proposed. Kang said, "Even if the border is quickly closed, the virus enters and spreads," and added, "We have proposed cooperation on disease prevention to North Korea, but they have not yet responded."

Minister Kang had also evaluated at the 'Manama Dialogue,' an international security forum held in Bahrain on the 5th, that "It is hard to believe that there are no confirmed COVID-19 cases in North Korea," and described North Korea's response as "closed and top-down." In response, North Korea reacted with backlash, calling it 'absurd remarks' through a statement by Kim Yo-jong, First Deputy Director of the Workers' Party of Korea, on the 8th.

She also expressed a desire to establish a close cooperative relationship with the Joe Biden administration, which will take office in January next year. Minister Kang said, "We are cooperating very closely with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and we will have equally frank and close discussions with the next administration," adding, "Considering Biden's mention of the importance of the alliance and South Korea's role in global plans, I hope both sides will establish a very close and good cooperative relationship." Regarding the Trump administration, she said, "Although we differed on many points, the essence of the relationship was that we could have genuine discussions on unresolved issues."

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