Lee Jae-myung's Letter to US Congress and UN: "Anti-North Korea Leaflet Law Is a Measure to Protect Residents' Safety"

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, sent official letters to the U.S. Congress and the United Nations (UN) on the 29th in response to some international concerns and moves to hold hearings regarding the 'Anti-North Korea Leaflet Act.'

The purpose of this letter is to emphasize the necessity of the Anti-North Korea Leaflet Act and to expand understanding and support from the international community.

On that day, Governor Lee sent letters to Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission co-chairmen of the U.S. House of Representatives, chairpersons of the Foreign Affairs Committees of both the U.S. House and Senate, the Acting U.S. Ambassador to Korea, the British Ambassador to Korea, the EU Delegation Ambassador to Korea, the UN Secretary-General, and the UN Special Rapporteur on North Korean Human Rights.

In the letter, Governor Lee emphasized, "The Anti-North Korea Leaflet Act is the minimum measure to protect the lives, safety, and property rights of the residents, as well as a peaceful means to prevent unnecessary military tensions and confrontations with the North and to improve the strained inter-Korean relations."

In particular, Governor Lee introduced realistic damage cases caused by the distribution of leaflets to North Korea, such as the evacuation of residents in Yeoncheon County in 2014 and the incident of leaflets falling on private homes in Uijeongbu in June this year, stressing, "The distribution of leaflets to North Korea is an act intended to provoke tension and confrontation and is an act that practically threatens the lives and safety of the residents."

Furthermore, he expressed concern that "Following the UN Special Rapporteur on North Korean Human Rights' demand for legal amendments, some members of the U.S. Congress have raised issues and are moving to hold hearings, which could obstruct the legitimate exercise of sovereignty to protect the lives, safety, and property of the people of the Republic of Korea."

He also added, "The Anti-North Korea Leaflet Act, based on the guarantee of freedom of expression, only minimally prohibits acts such as leaflet distribution that violate inter-Korean agreements," and "Article 19 of the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights also stipulates that freedom of expression may be restricted for the protection of the rights of others and public order."

Governor Lee further stated, "This law will be the first step to restore trust between the two Koreas and to restart inter-Korean relations, which have been halted for some time," and urged, "Please join us with one heart for peace on the Korean Peninsula and world peace."

Earlier, Chris Smith, co-chairman of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission of the U.S. House of Representatives, announced at the end of last year that he would push for a hearing related to the Anti-North Korea Leaflet Act, but the holding and specific schedule have not been decided.

Governor Lee has made multifaceted efforts to protect the lives, safety, and property rights of residents from military risks caused by the distribution of leaflets to North Korea, including organizing an emergency response team and designating five border cities and counties as danger zones.

In particular, he took proactive measures such as actively blocking the sites of leaflet distribution, which was highly welcomed by the residents. He also made significant contributions to the passage of the Anti-North Korea Leaflet Act by continuously requesting legislation from the National Assembly and the central government.

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