Border Area Pastors and Priests Urge "Adopt Objective Attitude" in Response to UN Criticism of Anti-North Korea Leaflet Law

"UN Official's Biased Misjudgment
Efforts Needed for Fair and Objective Understanding of the Korean Peninsula Situation"
Strong Protests Against Quintana, UN Special Rapporteur on North Korean Human Rights

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 was 2 to 3 meters in size and had a photo of North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un and his family attached.

Pastors and priests from the inter-Korean border area protested on the 17th against Thomas Ojea Quintana, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in North Korea, who recommended reconsideration of the South Korean law banning the distribution of leaflets to North Korea (an amendment to the Act on the Development of Inter-Korean Relations). They stated, "We hope UN officials make efforts to have a fair and objective understanding of the realities on the Korean Peninsula."

The group, titled 'Pastors and Priests for Peace from the Inter-Korean Border Area Supporting and Welcoming the Enactment of the Law Prohibiting Leaflet Distribution to North Korea,' strongly criticized Quintana's recent remarks in an open letter addressed to him on the same day.

They said, "The law banning leaflet distribution to North Korea, passed by the National Assembly on the 14th, reflects the will of residents in border villages and the majority of the South Korean people," adding, "Criticizing this law (by Quintana) is a misguided judgment biased toward one side, failing to recognize the realities of North and South Korea."

They continued, "As this criticism targets legislation by the representative institution of the South Korean people, it is an inappropriate act for a UN official who should maintain fairness and objectivity, and we express our deep regret."

They urged, "The UN Special Rapporteur on North Korean human rights must take a fair stance," and added, "He should not hold a biased view by only listening to North Korean human rights organizations. We hope he listens to the opinions of residents in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) border villages." They further stated, "An objective understanding of the realities of North and South Korea is necessary," and "It must be recognized that distributing leaflets to North Korea is not an act for the human rights of North Korean residents."

They also emphasized, "The act of distributing leaflets to North Korea is not freedom of expression but an illegal act that threatens the lives of residents," and "It should be understood that it can cause division and conflict in South Korean society, so careful action is required."

Earlier, on the 16th (local time), Quintana told Radio Free Asia (RFA), "Before implementing the law banning leaflet distribution to North Korea, I recommend that the relevant democratic institutions reconsider the amendment through proper procedures."

Quintana claimed that the new law "imposes strict restrictions on many defectors and civil society organizations trying to engage with North Korean residents in various ways." He also pointed out, "The amendment punishes related activities with a maximum imprisonment of three years, which may violate the principle of proportionality." He added, "The amendment uses vague terms such as 'advertising propaganda,' 'property benefits,' and the word 'etc.' referring to numerous unspecified activities, lacking the precision required to define prohibited actions."

He stated, "The amendment was legislated and democratically debated in the South Korean National Assembly as required by international human rights standards," but reiterated, "Given several flaws, reconsideration is necessary."

Quintana also noted, "International human rights standards stipulate that freedom of expression should not be evaluated based on 'discretionary judgment,'" and "The vague and broad wording of this amendment makes it difficult to comply with international human rights standards." He explained, "To impose restrictions on freedom of expression, the South Korean government needs to more clearly justify the specific necessity of the amendment in accordance with international human rights law."

Furthermore, Quintana acknowledged, "The need to prevent risks to the life and body of residents in the border area or serious dangers occurring there can be a legitimate aim," but also pointed out, "This amendment has not demonstrated a direct and close relationship between the activities of civil society organizations in the border area and the threats posed by these activities."

Thomas Ojea Quintana, UN Special Rapporteur on North Korean Human Rights

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Unification immediately expressed displeasure at Quintana's remarks.

An official from the Ministry of Unification said on the day, "We regret that the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in North Korea, Quintana, mentioned the 'need for appropriate reconsideration by democratic institutions' regarding the amendment to the law passed by the National Assembly, the representative body of the people's will, through democratic discussion and deliberation in accordance with the Constitution and laws."

The official explained, "This amended law was enacted following appeals and continuous legislative calls from residents in the border area to protect their lives and safety, and the legislature, while protecting freedom of expression, has restricted the 'methods of expression' to the minimum extent necessary, considering precedents."

He added, "Quintana should view the fact that 'the safety of the majority of border area residents' was protected by 'minimally restricting a minority of expression methods' in a balanced manner."

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