Beopseoryeon "Anti-North Korea Leaflet Law Violates Freedom of Expression"... Human Rights Commission Complaint

by Jeong Donghoon

Published 31 Dec.2020 09:26(KST)

On June 23rd at around 10 a.m., a balloon intended for distributing leaflets to North Korea, sent by a defector organization, was found in a nearby hill in Magok-ri, Seomyeon, Hongcheon-gun, Paju, Gyeonggi Province.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] A civic group has filed a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission, arguing that the Act on Prohibition of Leaflet Distribution to North Korea (Amendment to the Act on the Development of Inter-Korean Relations) restricts freedom of expression.

On the 31st, the Action Alliance for the Restoration of the Rule of Law (Beopse-ryeon) announced through a press release that it has submitted a petition containing demands such as ▲confirmation of the restriction on freedom of expression by the Act on Prohibition of Leaflet Distribution to North Korea ▲abolition of the Act on Prohibition of Leaflet Distribution to North Korea ▲and recommendations for human rights education for members of the National Assembly.

The Act on Prohibition of Leaflet Distribution to North Korea, which punishes the distribution of leaflets to North Korea within our territory and territorial waters with imprisonment or fines, was promulgated on the 29th. Accordingly, from March 30th next year, those who distribute leaflets to North Korea may face imprisonment of up to three years or a fine of up to 30 million won.

Beopse-ryeon pointed out, "The Act on Prohibition of Leaflet Distribution to North Korea restricts freedom of expression, a core value of the Constitution," and added, "The bill banning leaflet activities clearly infringes on constitutional freedom of expression and violates the principle of proportionality by failing to meet requirements such as suitability of means and minimal infringement in restricting fundamental rights."

They continued, "Although the enactment of the Act on Prohibition of Leaflet Distribution to North Korea claims to be for the sake of residents' life and safety, in reality, it is merely a sycophantic bill aimed at gaining favor from Kim Jong-un," and argued, "The Act on Prohibition of Leaflet Distribution to North Korea blocks the way to help North Korean residents suffering human rights abuses and must be immediately abolished."