People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy "US and UK Lawmakers Criticizing 'Ban on North Korean Leaflet Distribution' Lack Understanding of the Korean Peninsula Situation"

On June 23rd at around 10 a.m., a balloon intended for sending leaflets to North Korea, sent by a defector organization, was found in a hill near Magok-ri, Seomyeon, Hongcheon-gun, Paju, Gyeonggi Province. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] The People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSPD) criticized the public concerns expressed by members of the US and UK parliaments regarding the South Korean government's ban on sending leaflets to North Korea, pointing out a lack of understanding of the situation on the Korean Peninsula and the survival rights of residents in border areas.

On the 23rd, PSPD's Peace and Disarmament Center released a statement titled "Inappropriate Criticism by US Lawmakers on the Ban of Leaflet Distribution to North Korea."

PSPD stated, "Parliamentarians from the UK, the US, and other countries have expressed concerns about the 'Act on the Prohibition of Sending Leaflets to North Korea (Partial Amendment to the Act on the Development of Inter-Korean Relations),' which passed the State Council meeting the day before (22nd). This reflects a superficial and one-sided interpretation stemming from a lack of understanding of the ongoing war situation on the Korean Peninsula and the peaceful survival rights of residents in border areas."

Following the passage of the Act on the Prohibition of Sending Leaflets to North Korea at the State Council meeting, the UN Special Rapporteur on North Korean Human Rights, UK House of Lords members, and US Congress members have expressed concerns and even called for amendments. The Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission under the US Congress has announced plans for a hearing. Their concerns include claims that the law infringes on freedom of expression and undermines democracy and human rights advancement in North Korea.

PSPD emphasized, "The act of sending leaflets to North Korea threatens the lives, safety, and daily lives of residents in border areas and has caused conflicts and disputes on the Korean Peninsula. The passage of this law has been welcomed by the Council of Mayors and County Heads of Border Areas and civil society organizations in border regions such as Ganghwa, Ungjin, Gimpo, Goyang, Paju, Yeoncheon, and Cheorwon for these reasons." They added, "Furthermore, sending leaflets to North Korea clearly violates the 'April 27 Panmunjom Declaration' and the 'September 19 Military Agreement,' which call for the cessation of all hostile acts, including loudspeaker broadcasts and leaflet distribution."

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