[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] On the 15th (local time), the Ministry of Unification stated regarding the bipartisan Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission of the U.S. Congress holding a hearing on the 'Prohibition of Leaflet Distribution Act (Inter-Korean Relations Development Act)' that "the law was amended to protect the lives and safety of residents in border areas."
Deputy Spokesperson Cha Deok-cheol of the Ministry of Unification made this statement at a regular briefing on the 16th.
Previously, Deputy Spokesperson Cha referred to the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission as "closer to a policy research group," which caused controversy, and the Ministry of Unification later reversed the statement, saying it was "not the official position of the government."
Deputy Spokesperson Cha also said, "We hope that the May (South Korea-U.S.) summit will create a strong consensus between the two leaders on denuclearization and peace settlement on the Korean Peninsula, as well as improvement of inter-Korean relations."
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