[Statement] Improper Criticism of US Congress Member, etc.on the Anti-leaflet Measures
Improper Criticism of US Congress Member, etc.on the Anti-leaflet Measures
It is appropriate to prohibit hostile actions that cause conflicts on the Korean Peninsula in a cease-fire
December 23, 2020
The Anti-leaflet law (amendments to the Development of Inter-Korean Relations Act) that passed the cabinet council yesterday (Dec 22) is under controversy. UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, as well as British senators and several members of the US Congress, have expressed their concerns on the bill and went as far as to urge its revision. Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission under the US House of Representatives even forewarned a hearing on the issue. Their reasons are violations of the freedom of expression and that the bill counters democracy and human rights promotion of DPRK. Be that as it may, this is a superficial and one-sided interpretation, resulting from the lack of understanding of the situation of the Korean Peninsula where the war is unended and about the right to live in peace of borderline residents.
Dropping leaflets targeting the North has threatened the very life, safety, and everyday life of the borderline residents and caused disputes on the peninsula. This is precisely why the council of the border region mayor and governor, along with civic groups of Ganghwa, Ungjin, Gimpo, Goyang, Paju, Yeoncheon and Cheorwon, and other bordering areas expressed welcome for the passing of the bill. Moreover, the drop clearly violates the “Panmunjom Declaration” and “Agreement on the Implementation of the Historic Panmunjom Declaration in the Military Domain” that agreed to stop all hostile actions including anti-government messages broadcast through speakers and leaflet drop.
We cannot look on an act that increases the danger of conflict as well as collision under a cease-fire, which may also greatly violate the border area residents’ right to live in peace, by the name of “freedom of expression”. Since the two sides mutually pledged not to slander the opposition, even private actions that may be considered psychological warfare should be restrained and according to circumstances, be regulated by the government. Implementing what has been agreed between South and North and maintaining peace is important also for a substantive human rights improvement in DPRK. The Anti-leaflet law should be interpreted within this context.
번역 : 윤혜원 자원활동가 / Translation : Hyewon Yoon
감수 : 참여연대 평화군축센터 / Proofreading : PSPD
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