US Lawmaker: "May Hold Another Hearing on Leaflets Sent to North Korea"

Representative Chris Smith "Will Follow Up"
Korean-American Representative Young Kim "It May Be Interference, but We Must Pressure for Our Friend's Success"

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Democratic Representative Chris Smith, who led the U.S. Congress hearing on North Korean leaflets, hinted at the possibility of holding additional hearings. The U.S. lawmakers attending the hearing emphasized the need for a change in the South Korean government's stance, regardless of party lines.

Chris Smith, U.S. Representative

According to Voice of America (VOA) on the 15th (local time), Smith, co-chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, said in a virtual press conference after the hearing, "We will take follow-up actions. I do not end these matters with just one hearing."

Regarding potential backlash within South Korea, Representative Smith responded, "Whether the human rights violations in the U.S. are real or alleged, the South Korean government and National Assembly can hold hearings at any time."

In his opening remarks that day, Smith argued that the law banning North Korean leaflets unjustly infringes on freedom of expression guaranteed by the South Korean Constitution as well as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

He emphasized that for South Korean politicians who labeled the U.S. Congress's concerns over the leaflet ban law as 'interference in internal affairs,' "As a member of the ICCPR, the United States and the U.S. Congress have an obligation to raise their voices on this matter."

He also stated that the South Korean government has retreated from its longstanding commitments to human rights in North Korea and China, and that attempts focusing on security, weapons, non-proliferation responses, or trust-building in inter-Korean relations without including the freedom, health, and welfare of North Korean residents are mistakes.

James McGovern, Democratic Representative and co-chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, which held the hearing, also expressed, "Personally, I hope the South Korean National Assembly decides to amend the law."

Republican Representative Young Kim, of Korean descent, acknowledged that the hearing could be seen as interference in internal affairs but stated, "Friends hold each other accountable and can pressure each other to improve, so there are even more reasons to discuss these issues."