"An Anachronistic Law Violating Freedom of Expression"... Beopseoryeon Files Human Rights Commission Complaint Against 'Anti-North Korea Leaflet Law'

Leaflets to North Korea. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] A civic group has filed another complaint with the National Human Rights Commission, arguing that the so-called "Anti-North Korea Leaflet Act" (an amendment to the Act on the Development of Inter-Korean Relations), which prohibits activities such as distributing leaflets to North Korea, restricts freedom of expression.

The Rule of Law Restoration Action Solidarity (Beopse-ryeon) announced on the 16th, "We have received a complaint through the Human Rights Commission's website urging the commission to recommend the National Assembly repeal the Anti-North Korea Leaflet Act because it infringes on citizens' human rights by damaging freedom of expression."

Beopse-ryeon had previously filed a complaint with the Human Rights Commission in December last year, when discussions on the enactment of the Anti-North Korea Leaflet Act began in the National Assembly, citing reasons such as restrictions on freedom of expression and violations of the principle of proportionality. However, at that time, the Human Rights Commission dismissed the complaint, stating, "Legislative acts by the National Assembly are not subject to investigation."

In response, Beopse-ryeon claimed that since the Anti-North Korea Leaflet Act came into full effect on the 30th of last month, leaflet distribution activities toward North Korea have become impossible, resulting in actual human rights violations such as restrictions on freedom of expression and general freedom of action.

Beopse-ryeon criticized, "The Anti-North Korea Leaflet Act is an unprecedented, unconstitutional, and anachronistic evil law hastily enacted without any review at the mere word of North Korea's Kim Yo-jong. As even the international community has expressed serious concerns, the act infringes on the core fundamental right of freedom of expression and restricts the freedom to act, setting back South Korea's human rights standards by 50 years."

They added, "We strongly urge the Human Rights Commission to confirm that the Anti-North Korea Leaflet Act violates human rights and to strongly recommend its repeal."

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