Inter-Agency Meeting Led by the Ministry of Unification
to Address Leaflet-Sending to North Korea
The government has decided to cooperate with the National Assembly to ensure that the amendment to the Inter-Korean Relations Development Act is passed before Liberation Day (August 15) in order to prevent private organizations from sending leaflets to North Korea. In addition, the government will establish detailed application standards to effectively regulate and punish leaflet-sending activities, as these can already be governed under existing laws.
On the morning of June 16, the government announced that this was discussed at a meeting chaired by Kang Jongseok, Director General for Humanitarian Affairs at the Ministry of Unification, and attended by officials from the National Security Office, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Ministry of National Defense, National Police Agency, Gyeonggi Province, and Incheon Metropolitan City (Ganghwa County). Previously, President Lee Jaemyung had ordered a joint response from relevant agencies after some private organizations continued to send leaflets to North Korea despite the government's position to halt such activities.
The Ministry of Unification stated, "At the meeting, each agency expressed serious concern that some private organizations continue to send leaflets to North Korea even after the government clearly announced its position to stop such activities. Accordingly, the agencies agreed that protecting peace on the Korean Peninsula and the lives and safety of residents in border areas is a critical duty of the state. They reviewed the relevant laws under their jurisdiction and discussed preventive and punitive measures regarding the sending of leaflets to North Korea."
Previously, in September 2023, the Constitutional Court ruled that the so-called "Leaflet Ban Act" (Inter-Korean Relations Development Act) was unconstitutional on the grounds that it infringed upon freedom of expression. As a result, the government believes that while it is difficult to impose penalties under the Inter-Korean Relations Development Act, it is possible to prevent leaflet-sending by applying other existing laws.
Therefore, the government will first cooperate with the National Assembly to ensure that the amendment to the Inter-Korean Relations Development Act and other bills can be passed before Liberation Day, making every effort to support the legislative process. The agencies also confirmed that leaflet-sending activities can be regulated under current laws such as the Aviation Safety Act, Disaster and Safety Act, High-Pressure Gas Safety Control Act, and Public Waters Management Act. For effective regulation and punishment, they will establish detailed application standards if necessary. In addition, to ensure the effectiveness of punitive regulations, the government will consider amending certain provisions of laws such as the Aviation Safety Act.
Furthermore, the agencies agreed to establish a consultative body for regular and ad hoc communication among relevant organizations, and to activate small group discussions when necessary. They will also strengthen communication with private organizations that send leaflets, demanding that they cease such activities and comply with existing laws.
During the meeting, the agencies reviewed the content and application of relevant laws pertaining to the prevention of leaflet-sending to North Korea and discussed effective measures for both prevention and post-incident punishment. The police decided to deploy mobile units and local officers to key border areas and to promote cooperation with local governments and relevant agencies. Special judicial police officers from local governments will also step up patrols in areas where leaflet-sending is expected and maintain a constant mobilization system in designated danger zones.
The government stated, "The agencies present today agreed to swiftly establish and implement relevant measures to effectively prevent leaflet-sending to North Korea, and to continue operating the consultative body for inter-agency cooperation. In line with the government's comprehensive measures, we plan to strongly request private organizations to cease leaflet-sending through guidance and public awareness efforts. Through these actions, we aim to foster a peaceful atmosphere on the Korean Peninsula and protect the lives and safety of border residents."
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