This photo, provided by a group for families of abductees in North Korea, shows activists launching large balloons carrying messages toward North Korea from the western border city of Paju on June 2, 2025. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, June 10 (Korea Bizwire) — The unification ministry on Tuesday cited the need for peace building and public safety as the reasons for its recent call on civic groups to halt campaigns to send anti-Pyongyang leaflets to North Korea.
The stance came a day after the ministry expressed “regret” and “strongly” urged a halt to leaflet campaigns after families of those abducted by North Korea sent large latex balloons carrying leaflets into North Korea from the western border city of Paju on June 2.
“Prioritizing the creation of a peaceful atmosphere on the Korean Peninsula and the safety of the public, the ministry has requested a halt to anti-North leaflet distribution,” a ministry official said on condition of anonymity.
It marked the first time that the ministry has called for a halt to leaflet campaigns since the Constitutional Court ruled the ban on them unconstitutional in September 2023, citing freedom of expression — suggesting a sudden shift under the new Lee Jae-myung administration from its previous stance of non-interference.
The ministry official said an investigation is currently under way into the campaigners for suspected violations of acts, which prohibit unauthorized access to designated border areas and the launch of drones weighing more than 2 kilograms, respectively.
As part of his presidential pledges, Lee has vowed to ease tensions and seek dialogue with North Korea, which has long denounced leaflet campaigns against it.
Lee has pledged to halt anti-North leaflet campaigns and anti-North broadcasting along the border as part of his pledges to improve inter-Korean relations.
(Yonhap)
