South Korea orders crackdown on anti-Pyongyang leaflets
Presidential order comes as Seoul stops propaganda loudspeaker campaign along border with North Korea
ISTANBUL
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung on Saturday ordered authorities to punish anyone who sends anti-Pyongyang leaflets across the border, warning that the illegal launches endanger civilians and heighten military tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
The directive came hours after a civic group released balloons carrying leaflets critical of North Korea from an area west of Seoul, presidential spokeswoman Kang Yu-jung said in a written briefing that cited Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency.
“The government has previously said the illegal distribution of anti-Pyongyang leaflets should be halted, as it could jeopardize the safety of border-area residents and escalate military tensions,” Kang said, adding that officials “take violators’ actions very seriously.” She promised “stern measures” against those who defy the order.
Senior officials will meet Monday to discuss additional steps to prevent future leaflet launches, Kang said.
Lee, sworn in this month, has moved quickly to cool friction with the North. Earlier this week he ended South Korea’s year-long propaganda loudspeaker campaign along the heavily fortified Demilitarized Zone and called for measures “to stop the exhausting hostilities” and rebuild trust. North Korea has reportedly silenced its own loudspeakers as well.
