Ministry of Foreign Affairs Emphasizes "Necessary Minimum for Citizens' Life and Safety" Amid Controversy Over the 'Anti-North Korea Leaflet Act'

US State Department "Increase in Information Flow to North Korea Must Continue" Statement Released
Song Young-gil, Foreign Affairs Committee Chair, Refutes "Misinterpretation of Legislative Intent... Claims of Undermining South Korea's Democratic Process"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Regarding international concerns from the United States and the British Parliament that the "Prohibition of Leaflet Distribution to North Korea Act (Amendment to the Act on the Development of Inter-Korean Relations)," which bans the distribution of leaflets in border areas, restricts freedom of expression, the government reiterated that it is a "necessary minimum restriction to protect the lives and safety of our citizens" and stated that it is communicating with the parliament, civic groups, and others. This amendment passed the National Assembly and was approved by the Cabinet meeting.

On the 22nd, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Choi Young-sam said at a regular briefing, "Our government is communicating with various sectors in the United States. We are continuously engaging with the U.S. administration, Congress, and related civic groups," adding, "We are explaining the legislative intent of the amendment and that the restriction on freedom of expression is the necessary minimum to protect the lives and safety of our citizens."

He also reiterated that the amendment does not apply to the act of distributing leaflets in third countries. Spokesperson Choi explained, "We are also explaining that the amendment does not apply to leaflet distribution in third countries," and added, "The Ministry of Unification has announced that before the law is enforced, it will establish interpretive guidelines on leaflet distribution regulations to clarify that leaflet distribution in third countries is not subject to this law."

He further stated, "Going forward, our government plans to strengthen communication with the international community, including the United States, to gain broader understanding of this bill."

Earlier, the U.S. Department of State expressed a position emphasizing the need for continued information inflow into North Korea in response to South Korea’s passage of the leaflet ban law through the National Assembly and Cabinet meeting. As some members of Congress amplified their voices, the U.S. Department of State began issuing official statements.

On the 21st (local time), a spokesperson from the U.S. Department of State responded to inquiries about the U.S. position on the leaflet ban law, saying, "Regarding North Korea, we continue campaigns to promote the free inflow of information into North Korea," and added, "It is very important that North Korean residents have access to fact-based information not controlled by the regime."

The U.S. Department of State further stated that "increasing information inflow into North Korea" is a U.S. priority and that "we continue to cooperate with partners such as non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other countries to facilitate information access for North Korean residents."

There have also been rebuttals to the concerns raised by the U.S., British Parliament, and the international community, arguing that these concerns misunderstand the legislative intent.

Song Young-gil, Chair of the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, criticized the U.S. congressional concerns about "freedom of expression infringement" regarding the amendment as "claims that damage the democratic process of the Republic of Korea stemming from misunderstandings about the amendment."

In a contribution to the U.S. North Korea-focused media '38 North,' Chair Song emphasized, "This amendment is the result our government carefully produced in response to continuous legislative petitions to ban leaflet distribution to North Korea," and added, "The recent amendment is the outcome of a 12-year democratic process that imposed minimal restrictions to protect the 1.12 million residents living in border areas."

He also stated, "The amendment prohibits leaflet distribution only when such acts cause serious harm or significant danger to the physical safety and lives of citizens," and evaluated, "Concerns that it infringes on human rights and freedom of expression are due to misinterpretations of the amendment."

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