"Will conduct interviews with 1 to 2 groups at a time"
Amid rising inter-Korean tensions over North Korea's release of filth balloons and the corresponding South Korean leaflet campaigns, the Ministry of Unification has begun talks with groups sending leaflets to the North.
On the 14th, the Ministry of Unification started a meeting with one leaflet-sending group at an undisclosed location in Seoul. A ministry official stated, "Since the meeting is private, it is not appropriate to disclose the discussion details," adding, "We will continue to hold meetings with one or two groups at a time."
It is reported that the Ministry of Unification did not request restraint in sending leaflets during the meeting. Group representative A, who attended the meeting, told Yonhap News Agency, "The Ministry of Unification made no special remarks regarding restraint on leaflet distribution," but added, "Since no one wants tensions on the Korean Peninsula to escalate, we said we would refrain from public activities."
In response to North Korea's filth balloons, the government and private sectors have resumed loudspeaker broadcasts toward the North and have been sending leaflets, raising concerns among residents near the border areas. However, the government maintains its position that it cannot enforce restrictions, stating, "We are approaching this issue with respect for the Constitutional Court's decision to guarantee freedom of expression."
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