Ministry of Unification Calls Park Sang-hak, Head of Leaflet Distribution, "Irrational and Unreasonable"

The North Korean Workers' Party organ, Rodong Sinmun, reported on the front page on the 2nd under the headline "Creating New Standards and New Records through a Loyal Assault and Bold Blitzkrieg" that the construction of the Pyongyang General Hospital is accelerating. The photo shows the hospital construction site. The construction appears to be significantly advanced.

The Ministry of Unification criticized Park Sang-hak, the head of the Free North Korea Movement Alliance, who has continued to distribute anti-North Korean leaflets (ppira), on the 2nd, calling his actions "irrational and unreasonable." Considering that the Ministry of Unification issued only a "strong regret" statement when North Korea blew up the Kaesong Inter-Korean Joint Liaison Office, this is a considerably strong warning message.

A Ministry of Unification official said to reporters on the same day, "We deeply regret that Representative Park made unreasonable and harsh remarks during the meeting on the 1st."

The official added, "Despite repeated requests from residents in the border area, he has persisted in distributing anti-North Korean leaflets, escalating tensions between the South and the North, endangering the lives and safety of border area residents, and yet continues to make irrational remarks without reflection, which is truly deplorable."

He said, "As the Supreme Court precedent has ruled, there are clear limits to freedom of expression, and the manner in which freedom of expression is exercised should be more dignified," adding, "We will strictly enforce the law against violations of the Republic of Korea's legal order, including anti-North Korean leaflets."

Regarding the procedure to revoke the corporate status of organizations distributing anti-North Korean leaflets, such as the Free North Korea Movement Alliance, the official explained, "Once the hearing records are reviewed, a decision will be made," and added, "The timing of the decision may vary depending on how the hearing records are reviewed, so it is difficult to specify exactly when the decision will be made."

Representative Park had harshly criticized President Moon Jae-in the previous day when meeting with Joo Ho-young, the floor leader of the United Future Party, at the National Assembly. He said, "Is the President of the Republic of Korea someone who stands with Kim Jong-un and Kim Yo-jong, gagging the people and depriving them of freedom of expression?" and "I will file a complaint against President Moon at the United Nations (UN)."

Meanwhile, on the 2nd, the Ministry of Unification reaffirmed its position regarding President Moon’s statement that efforts will be made to hold a North Korea?U.S. summit before the U.S. presidential election in November, saying, "The government will also strive to promptly resume North Korea?U.S. dialogue."

However, when asked whether the Ministry of Unification had conveyed this intention to the North, the official replied, "As far as I know, there has been no such communication."

Regarding North Korea’s demand for compensation related to the destruction of the Inter-Korean Joint Liaison Office, the official explained, "While compensation claims can be made between countries with normal diplomatic relations based on international treaties and customs, the special relationship between the South and the North, which aims for unification, and the absence of North Korean assets in South Korea make this a very difficult issue," adding, "We are reviewing this from multiple angles, and it will take some more time."