Ministry of Unification Does Not Comment on US Hearing on North Korea Leaflet Ban Bill

[Asia Economy Reporter Inho Yoo] The Ministry of Unification did not issue any particular statement regarding the virtual hearing on the Act on Prohibition of Leaflet Distribution to North Korea, which the U.S. Congress Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission will hold on the 15th.

On the 9th, Deputy Spokesperson Cha Deok-cheol of the Ministry of Unification said about the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission hearing, "It would be appropriate to confirm the position through diplomatic authorities regarding the part where internal Korean issues are discussed at the hearing."

Deputy Spokesperson Cha said, "We understand that it is quite different in nature from hearings held in the domestic National Assembly," and added, "The Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission hearing does not have decision-making authority and is different in nature from domestic hearings; it is closer to a policy research meeting."

He continued, "Regarding the amendment to the Act on the Development of Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation, we plan to continue close communication and cooperative efforts with diplomatic authorities so that the voices of residents in border areas related to life and safety protection can be reflected in a balanced manner," he added.

The Act on Prohibition of Leaflet Distribution to North Korea is an amendment to the Act on the Development of Inter-Korean Relations, which stipulates that broadcasting with loudspeakers toward North Korea, posting visual materials, or distributing leaflets around the Military Demarcation Line can be punished by imprisonment of up to three years or a fine of up to 30 million won.

The Ministry of Unification explained that the purpose of the amendment is to harmonize human rights values such as enhancing the right to know for North Korean residents with values such as protecting the life and safety of residents in border areas.

On the 8th (local time), the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission announced the hearing schedule on its website under the title "Civil and Political Rights in South Korea: Implications for Human Rights on the Korean Peninsula."

The commission introduced the background of holding the hearing by stating that the human rights situation in North Korea, a closed authoritarian state, is widely recognized as extremely poor, and that there are concerns that the Act on Prohibition of Leaflet Distribution to North Korea may hinder efforts to improve human rights in North Korea.

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