Ban on North Korea Leaflet Law at US Hearing... Testimony from 'Great Mother' of North Korean Human Rights (Comprehensive)
Hearing to Be Held in US House on 15th This Month
Hardline Figures on North Korea Expected to Testify
Government Position on Protecting Border Residents vs. Emphasis on North Korean Human Rights Violations Anticipated
Susan Sholti, Representative of the North Korea Freedom Coalition (Photo by Yonhap News)
View original image[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The South Korean government's enacted law banning anti-North Korea leaflets has ultimately become the subject of a U.S. congressional hearing. Since defectors' organizations and conservative figures will participate in the hearing, significant criticism is expected.
The Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission under the U.S. House of Representatives announced on the 8th (local time) that it will hold a virtual hearing on the anti-North Korea leaflet ban law on the 15th. The commission explained that this reflects concerns that the law could hinder efforts to promote human rights in North Korea. Democratic Representative Chris Smith issued a statement on February 11th expressing concerns about the law and announcing plans for the hearing.
The Human Rights Commission stated in its notice, "Some observers have expressed concerns that this law could obstruct efforts to promote human rights in North Korea, including U.S. government-funded programs that distribute USB drives containing information about the outside world to North Korea," explaining the reason for holding the hearing.
This law amends the Act on the Development of Inter-Korean Relations, allowing for punishment of up to three years imprisonment or a fine of up to 30 million won for broadcasting loudspeaker messages or distributing leaflets near the Military Demarcation Line.
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According to sources in the U.S. Congress, defector organizations in the U.S. have conducted intensive lobbying to hold this hearing. Most of the witnesses appearing at the hearing are hawks on North Korea and China. Suzanne Scholte, president of the North Korea Freedom Coalition, is a hardliner who led the enactment of the North Korea Human Rights Act, the first of its kind to pass both houses of the U.S. Congress.
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