North Korea protests every time it distributes leaflets to North Korea
North Korea blows up the Joint Inter-Korean Liaison Office under the pretext of distributing leaflets
In the same year, the amendment to the Inter-Korean Relations Development Act banned the dissemination of leaflets.
After the invasion of drones, the government starts reviewing related laws
[앵커]
While the government has announced that it would consider suspending the Sept. 19 inter-Korean military agreement in the event of further North Korean aggression, it is currently reviewing the law.
In the midst of this, a group of North Korean defectors announced that they will soon be flying drones to North Korea.
This is reporter Choi Doo-hee.
[기자]
Along with loudspeaker broadcasts to North Korea, anti-North Korea leaflets to which North Korea reacts sensitively.
In June 2020, North Korean Vice Minister Kim Yeo-jeong blew up the Joint Inter-Korean Liaison Office on the pretext of handing out leaflets to North Korea by groups of defectors.
Since then, amid controversy over the safety of border area residents and freedom of expression, the Inter-Korean Relations Development Act has been revised and the distribution of leaflets to North Korea has been banned.
According to the relevant laws, it is punishable by imprisonment of up to 3 years or a fine of up to 30 million won.
However, after the drone invasion, the government started reviewing related laws, stating that if North Korea were to invade further, the 9/19 military deal could be suspended.
In the midst of this, the Free North Korea Movement Association, a group of North Korean defectors, has announced that it will send flyers to North Korea as soon as possible.
They have also expressed a willingness to use drones rather than advertising balloons.
[박상학 / 자유북한운동연합 대표 : 합의 안 지키고 파기한 건 김정은 아니요? (목적지는) 평양이지. 직선으로 170km밖에 안 돼요. 두 시간이면 가고도 남지.]
If the effect of the September 19 military agreement is suspended due to the re-invasion of North Korea, the distribution of leaflets to North Korea is very likely not to be punished.
Although the relevant group did not clarify the timing of the leaflet distribution, there are fears that if the leaflet is distributed, military tension will further escalate along with North Korean opposition.
This is YTN’s Doohee Choi.
YTN Doohee Choi ([email protected])
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