Ministry of Unification Responds to International Criticism of Anti-North Korea Leaflet Law: "Lack of Understanding... Only Some Opinions"

"Insufficient Understanding of the Bill... Unbalanced Opinions"
US Congress and UN: "Freedom of Expression Shrinking... Bill Needs Reconsideration"
Ruling Party: "Interference in Internal Affairs" Displeasure... "Freedom of Expression Is Not Absolute"

On the night of June 22, a balloon sent by a North Korean defector organization for leaflet distribution was found around 10 a.m. on June 23 in a mountain near Magok-ri, Seomyeon, Hongcheon-gun, Gyeonggi Province. 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.

Regarding international criticism of the Act on the Prohibition of Leaflet Distribution to North Korea (Partial Amendment to the Act on the Development of Inter-Korean Relations), the Ministry of Unification stated on the 21st, "We believe that some unbalanced opinions are being presented domestically and internationally due to a lack of accurate understanding of the bill."

An official from the Ministry of Unification said on the same day, "We will further strengthen communication with related domestic and international figures and organizations to seek broader understanding of this bill."

Since the Act on the Prohibition of Leaflet Distribution to North Korea passed the National Assembly plenary session on the 14th, critical voices have been continuously raised by members of the U.S. Congress and United Nations officials.

Gerald Connolly (Democrat, Virginia), a prominent pro-Korea member of the U.S. House of Representatives, issued a statement on the 17th (local time) expressing concern that "the Korean legislature recently passed a bill prohibiting sending printed materials, auxiliary storage devices, money, and other items to North Korea through the border area between South and North Korea and third countries such as China."

On the 14th (local time), Michael McCaul, the Republican ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and on the 11th (local time), Chris Smith, the Republican co-chair of the bipartisan Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission in the U.S. Congress, expressed strong concerns about the Act on the Prohibition of Leaflet Distribution to North Korea.

Critical voices have also emerged from the United Nations. Thomas Ojea Quintana, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in North Korea, issued a statement on the 16th (local time) recommending a review of the bill, stating that it restricts freedom of expression.

Michael Kirby, former chair of the UN Commission of Inquiry (COI) on human rights in North Korea, pointed out during an online hearing hosted by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on North Korea (APPG NK) in the UK Parliament on the same day that the Act on the Prohibition of Leaflet Distribution to North Korea could conflict with the Biden administration in the U.S., which emphasizes "freedom of expression."

In response to these criticisms and concerns from the international community, the government and ruling party have openly expressed displeasure, calling it interference in internal affairs.

Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 21st, "It is regrettable that some in the U.S. Congress are calling for a review of the amended law," adding, "Everyone should respect the safety of the Korean people and the decisions of the Korean National Assembly."

Heo Young, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, stated in a written briefing on the 20th, "Some in the U.S. political circles are excessively interfering in Korea's internal affairs," and expressed "deep regret over such narrow-minded claims."

Earlier, on the 16th, Kang Kyung-wha, Minister of Foreign Affairs, appeared on CNN and said, "Freedom of expression is a very important human right, but it is not absolute," adding, "It can be restricted."

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