R.O.K.
Government's Stance regarding
Civic
Groups’ Distribution of Propaganda Leaflets toward the North
o The leaders of South and North Korea agreed to cease all hostile
acts in the areas along the Military Demarcation Line (MDL),
including the distribution of leaflets, as of May 1.
o Following the Panmunjeom Declaration, the R.O.K. Government asked
for the cooperation of civic groups in halting the campaign of
sending propaganda leaflets to the North.
o Yet some groups have expressed their position to continue the
campaign, especially notifying a large-scale send-off of leaflets
tomorrow(5.5). The Government thereby expresses its position.
o Sending leaflets to the North is an act that clearly violates the
spirit of the Panmunjeom Declaration, signed by the two leaders for
peace and prosperity of the Korean Peninsula.
- The leaflet campaign raises military tension along the MDL and is
the cause of conflict. It is desirable that groups immediately
suspend the act to bring peace to the Korean Peninsula and ease
military tension in line with the Panmunjeom Declaration.
- Also, the campaign must stop for the safety of residents living in
the border area and for the prevention of social conflict.
o Today(5.4), the Ministry of Unification will send an official
letter to the groups that plan to send leaflets(5.5), urging them to
stop sending leaflets and once again ask for their cooperation.
- As a countermeasure, we will request the Korean National Police
Agency to actively clamp down on the act of flying leaflets to the North.
- In accordance with Police and other relative agencies, we will
take stern measures to counter the campaign, while strengthening
communications with civic groups.
o The R.O.K. Government will continue to make efforts to ensure that
all South and North Koreans live a happy life and prosper peacefully
together by fulfilling the agreements of the Panmunjeom Declaration.
2018.5.4.
Unification
Ministry Spokesperson
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Unofficial translation
