Association of Families of Abductees Releases Leaflets Day Before Presidential Election
Easing Gestures Towards North Korea Following President’s Inauguration,
Goo Byung-sam, spokesperson for the Ministry of Unification, announces the government’s stance on the leaflet release by the Association of Families of Abductees during a regular briefing at the Government Complex in Seoul on the 9th. 2025.6.9/News1 ⓒ News1 Reporter Lim Se-young,
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, “(Seoul=News1) Reporter Yoo Min-joo = The Ministry of Unification has demanded the Association of Families of Abductees to halt their leaflet releases, which were recently distributed. The possibility of a change in the government’s stance on leaflet distribution due to the administration change was raised on the 9th.”,
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, ‘At a regular briefing held at the main building of the Government Complex in Seoul, spokesperson Goo Byung-sam expressed strong regret over the Association of Families of Abductees’ release of leaflets towards North Korea on the 2nd, despite requests for restraint from the Ministry of Unification on April 27 and May 8.’,
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, ‘Spokesperson Goo explained that “leaflet dispersal can escalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula and pose a threat to the lives and safety of residents in border areas,” while explaining the reason for the request to cease the distribution.’,
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, ‘He further stated, “The Ministry of Unification will closely communicate with relevant organizations and related groups to ensure that the regulations on leaflet distribution under the Disaster Safety Act and Aviation Safety Act are adhered to, and will actively cooperate in discussions on the amendment of the Inter-Korean Relations Development Act in the National Assembly.”‘,
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, ‘The Association of Families of Abductees released leaflets using latex balloons from Paju, Gyeonggi Province, towards the north at around 9 PM on the eve of the 21st presidential election. It is understood that the association has been conducting undisclosed leaflet distributions after being blocked by opposition from border area residents and authorities in Gyeonggi Province and Paju.’,
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, ‘The Yoon Seok-youl administration did not prevent civilian groups from releasing leaflets towards North Korea, following the 2023 Constitutional Court ruling that deemed the “Anti-Leaflet Law” (amendment to the Inter-Korean Relations Development Act) excessively restrictive of freedom of expression. While previous administrations requested restraint due to potential harm to border area residents, no such measures were implemented under Yoon Seok-youl’s administration.’,
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, “However, after instability following the December 3rd Martial Law last year, the government requested a ‘cautious judgment’ from major groups distributing leaflets towards North Korea.”,
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, ‘The public request by the Ministry of Unification for civilian groups to halt leaflet distribution appears to be an effort to shift the North Korea policy following a change in administration. Previously, President Lee Jae-myung, during the presidential campaign, promised to create conditions for both Koreas to cease leaflet and waste balloon releases.’,
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, “In his Memorial Day speech on the 6th, President Lee avoided mentioning North Korea, in contrast to former President Yoon Seok-youl, who referred to ‘communist forces’ and ‘provocations by North Korea,’ leading to interpretations of a ‘conciliatory gesture toward North Korea.’\n”]