South Korea bans flying of anti-North propaganda leaflets amid outcry

It marks the first time that South Korea’s parliament has passed a bill formally banning civilians from floating anti-North Korea leaflets across the border

Seoul previously banned such activities only during sensitive times, despite repeated protests from Pyongyang

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North Korean defectors and South Korean activists prepare to launch helium balloons carrying leaflets denouncing Kim Jong-un in this 2013 file photo. Photo: AP

Published: 11:37pm, 14 Dec 2020Updated: 1:04am, 15 Dec 2020

South Korea’s parliament on Monday approved contentious legislation criminalising the flying of anti-communist leaflets by balloon toward North Korea, despite fierce criticism that the country is sacrificing freedom of expression to improve ties with the rival North.

The legislation passed with the support of 187 lawmakers, mostly governing party members who support President Moon Jae-in’s policy of engagement with North Korea.

Outnumbered opposition lawmakers did not attend the vote after their attempt at delaying the balloting with nonstop speeches was foiled by governing party lawmakers, who used their three-fifths supermajority to halt the speeches in a separate vote.

It was the first time that South Korea’s parliament has passed a bill formally banning civilians from floating anti-North Korea leaflets by balloon across the tense border. South Korea has previously banned such activities only during sensitive times, and has normally allowed activists to exercise their freedom of speech despite repeated protests from North Korea.

North Korean students stage a rally to denounce South Korea after defectors and other activists flew anti-Pyongyang leaflets over the border earlier this year. Photo: AP

Activists and defectors from North Korea have for years used huge helium-filled balloons to carry leaflets criticising North Korea’s nuclear weapons programme and human rights record, USB sticks with information about world news, and US dollars.