Military Launches Investigation into Psychological Operations Unit over Alleged Anti-North Korea Leaflet Campaign

President Lee: "If Insurrectionary Acts Are Left Unchecked, They Will Recur"

The Ministry of National Defense has launched a fact-finding investigation into the Psychological Operations Unit of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces, which is suspected of carrying out leaflet operations targeting North Korea without reporting to higher command.

According to the military on December 5, the Ministry of National Defense's Investigation Headquarters recently summoned both former and current commanders (Colonels) of the Psychological Operations Unit for questioning regarding these allegations. The investigation team also visited the front-line Psychological Operations Unit for an on-site inspection.

Previously, a media outlet reported, based on an interview with a former soldier from the Psychological Operations Unit, that the unit had distributed anti-North Korean leaflets from October 2023 to early December last year without reporting to higher command. The report suggested that the leaflets were sent before North Korea's balloon provocations, with the intention of provoking a North Korean attack.

President Lee Jaemyung shared the article on social media, commenting, "They even had the military launch balloons in an attempt to start a war under the pretext of martial law..." He further warned, "If we allow insurrectionary acts to remain hidden, they will inevitably recur someday." In response, Minister Ahn Kyubaek reportedly ordered a thorough investigation into the matter.

The Psychological Operations Unit is a direct unit under the Ministry of National Defense responsible for psychological operations against North Korea through radio, loudspeakers, and leaflet campaigns.