Tae Yong-ho: "Presidential Delay in Approving North Korea Leaflet Ban Law Is a Trick... Will Increase International Criticism"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Tae Young-ho, a member of the People Power Party, criticized the postponement of the presidential approval for the law banning the distribution of leaflets to North Korea (Amendment to the Inter-Korean Relations Development Act) as a trick.

On the 22nd, Tae said on Facebook, "Criticism has arisen from the US, UK, and the UN, calling it a 'law that infringes on freedom of expression,' and since a related hearing will be held in the US Congress in January next year, it seems that the Ministry of Unification is trying to calm the situation until the final promulgation by taking the lead," expressing this view.

At the Cabinet meeting that day, the law banning the distribution of leaflets to North Korea was reviewed and resolved, but the presidential approval for promulgation was not granted.

Regarding the Ministry of Unification's announcement that it will issue interpretive guidelines before the law takes effect, Tae pointed out, "This is a form of admitting that it is an incomplete law that can itself cause controversy over interpretation," adding, "Considering that the ruling party passed the 'Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials Act (CIO Act)' and the 'Three Lease Laws' without interpretive guidelines despite pushing them through with a majority in the National Assembly, it is clear that the law banning leaflet distribution to North Korea was hastily processed under Kim Yo-jong's orders."

He stated, "If it cannot be explained or is far from international human rights standards, it should be repealed," and warned, "Responding by issuing interpretive guidelines without addressing these issues will only increase criticism domestically and internationally."

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