Position Changed After Martial Law... Government Says "Be Cautious About Anti-North Korea Leaflets"

Before the Re-vote on Impeachment, Groups Asked for "Careful Judgment"

After the emergency martial law situation triggered by President Yoon Suk-yeol, the government's stance on the distribution of leaflets to North Korea has changed. This is interpreted as an effort to prevent North Korea's misjudgment during the impeachment crisis. However, there is expected to be public backlash as the policy, which previously did not restrict leaflet distribution from the perspective of 'freedom of expression,' has been reversed.

Minister of Unification Kim Young-ho (left) and Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yeol are attending the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee plenary meeting held at the National Assembly on the 16th. Photo by Yonhap News

On the 16th, Kim Young-ho, Minister of Unification, stated at the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee plenary meeting, "Regarding the issue of leaflets to North Korea, we intend to prioritize the lives and safety of the people and strive to manage the situation," adding, "On the 12th, we requested leaflet organizations to exercise cautious judgment." This indicates a change in stance even before the re-vote on the impeachment motion.

In the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee report to the National Assembly in July, the Ministry of Unification had effectively opposed the opposition's legislative move to ban leaflet distribution to North Korea, stating, "Amendments to laws related to leaflets to North Korea require careful consideration, given the Constitutional Court's decision emphasizing freedom of expression as a constitutional value fundamental to democracy."

The government's change in position on leaflet distribution to North Korea appears to be aimed at reducing accidental situations that could escalate inter-Korean tensions during the impeachment crisis. Requests to refrain from distribution were also made during the Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye administrations.