Spokesperson's Commentary on
the Dissemination of Propaganda Leaflets into North Korea
February 15, 2009
We express our deep regret over the decision that Park Sang-hak, the head of Fighters for Free North Korea, and Choi Sung-yong, the head of the Abductees' Family Union, have made to disseminate balloons containing propaganda leaflets in them into the North Korean territory tomorrow while ignoring the ROK government's repeated request not to do so.
The South Korean government has reiterated its position that such distribution activities are inappropriate since they can aversely affect inter-Korean relations, and thus must be stopped. Against this backdrop, relevant government agencies have also urged these groups engaging in the dissemination to exercise restraint in their activities.
Many South Koreans have expressed their concerns over their dissemination attempt since it could give another excuse for North Korea to further aggravate already stalled inter-Korean relations.
Taking into consideration the concern of the people and the current inter-Korean relations, the ROK government urges once again the groups to exercise restraint in their distribution plan to be slated tomorrow.
Bringing North Korean currency illegally into the South is an apparent violation against the Inter-Korean Exchanges and Cooperation Act. Therefore, if the groups distribute the propaganda balloons containing North Korean currencies which have been illegally brought into the South, the ROK government will take appropriate legal measures against these activities for the sake of the rule of law.
Spokesperson, Ministry of Unification