Border Area Residents Demand Immediate Halt to Anti-North Korea Leaflets

Proposal Letter to Kim Yeon-cheol, Minister of Unification

Jeopgyeong Area Mayors and County Governors Council member Jeong Ha-young, Mayor of Gimpo (right), is delivering a petition from the Jeopgyeong Area Mayors and County Governors Council to Kim Yeon-chul, Minister of Unification, at the Government Seoul Office Building on the morning of the 5th.

Mayors and county heads from 10 regions bordering North Korea requested the government on the 5th to prevent the distribution of leaflets to North Korea.

The Council of Mayors and County Heads of Border Areas stated in their petition that "strong measures should be taken to eradicate the act of distributing leaflets to North Korea," and added, "The government should promptly establish fundamental countermeasures, including enacting laws that can punish those who violate this."

They criticized, "The distribution of leaflets to North Korea is an irresponsible act that instantly destroys the hopes and desires of border area residents who want tension reduction, conflict resolution, and a safe and peaceful life."

On the same day, Kimpo Mayor Jeong Ha-young visited the Ministry of Unification and delivered the petition containing these contents to Minister Kim Yeon-chul.

At the meeting with Mayor Jeong, Minister Kim said, "I am well aware of how important it is to protect the peace and economy of border area residents," confirming his intention to regulate leaflet distribution.

Minister Kim stated, "Security means protecting the lives and property of the people," and added, "From that perspective, one of the government's most important responsibilities is security."

He continued, "I believe that not only border area residents but also the majority of the public would oppose acts that create tension threatening the lives and property of the people," and said, "We will closely consult with the Council of Mayors and County Heads of Border Areas to develop peace and the economy in the border regions."

Mayor Jeong conveyed local public opinion, saying, "(Following North Korea's statement yesterday) local residents and mayors and county heads are very concerned," and "Recently, border area residents think, 'We hope inter-Korean relations improve quickly. We hope North and South Korea engage with each other.'"

Earlier on the 4th, North Korea issued a statement under the name of Kim Yo-jong, First Deputy Director of the Workers' Party, expressing displeasure at the leaflet distribution to North Korea and even mentioning the possibility of terminating the inter-Korean military agreement.

In response, the Ministry of Unification announced that it is preparing legislation to regulate the distribution of leaflets to North Korea.

At a regular briefing on the 5th, Ministry of Unification Deputy Spokesperson Cho Hye-sil said, "The government aims to enact laws to implement inter-Korean agreements such as the cessation of all hostile acts between North and South Korea and the establishment of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) as a peace zone, as well as to protect border area residents and achieve peaceful development."

She added, "The government is not considering enacting a law limited to the leaflet issue, such as a so-called 'Leaflet Distribution Prohibition Act,' but will include regulatory measures addressing the leaflet issue that stirs tension in border areas, threatens residents' stability, and hinders regional development."