Mayor Ahn Byung-yong, "Governor Lee Jae-myung Actively Supports International Letter on North Korea Leaflet Prohibition Law"

"North Korea Leaflet Distribution Defined as Violation of Inter-Korean Agreement"

Mayor Ahn Byung-yong of Uijeongbu City announcing a statement supporting the international letter against the law banning North Korean leaflets [Provided by Uijeongbu City]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] On the 1st, An Byeong-yong, Mayor of Uijeongbu City, announced a statement of support for Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung's international letter regarding the North Korea leaflet ban law.

In the statement, Mayor An said, "I actively support the position and appropriate leadership of Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung, who appealed to the international community on the inevitability of enacting the North Korea leaflet ban law through an official letter sent to the U.S. Congress and the United Nations."

Mayor An continued, "The U.S. Congress and the United Nations should recognize that the North Korea leaflet ban law is an indispensable restriction to protect the lives, safety, and property of residents in the northern Gyeonggi region, who have endured great sacrifices subordinated to the value of national security for over 60 years and are still bearing that pain."

He then urged, "Please clearly empathize that this is the minimum necessary measure to alleviate the anxiety of residents in the border areas and to thaw the cold frozen inter-Korean relations," calling for support from the U.S. Congress and the United Nations.

Mayor An also listed efforts such as ▲supporting the full renovation of the Hudson County War Memorial in New Jersey, USA ▲holding the 100th anniversary concert of the establishment of the U.S. 2nd Infantry Division in 2017 ▲constructing a symbolic sculpture of Korea-U.S. friendship and burying a time capsule in the station square park in front of Uijeongbu Station ▲holding a farewell concert expressing friendship and farewell to the U.S. 2nd Infantry Division before its relocation to Pyeongtaek, emphasizing, "Through promoting Korea-U.S. friendly relations, both countries have widely publicized and practiced that they are blood allies and partners in the past, present, and future."

Meanwhile, Uijeongbu City has defined the distribution of leaflets to North Korea as a violation of inter-Korean agreements and has actively supported the purpose of the amendment to the North Korea leaflet ban law (partial amendment to the Act on the Development of Inter-Korean Relations), which includes punishment provisions and passed the National Assembly plenary session in December last year, aiming to protect the lives and safety of the people, develop inter-Korean relations, and promote peace on the Korean Peninsula.

However, regarding recent issues raised by some members of the U.S. Congress about the North Korea leaflet ban law and demands for amendments by the UN Special Rapporteur on North Korean Human Rights, Mayor An expressed regret, stating, "We deeply regret that these remarks ignore the tragic reality and sacrifices experienced by northern Gyeonggi and may rather provoke tension and confrontation between the two Koreas, threatening lasting peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula."

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