The United States has once again expressed its unwavering support for providing outside information to the people of North Korea. This comes at a time when tensions are high on the Korean Peninsula due to recent exchanges between Pyongyang and Seoul over leaflet campaigns.
In response to a request from VOA’s Korean Service, a State Department spokesperson emphasized the importance of the North Korean people having access to independent information that is not controlled by the oppressive regime. The spokesperson also reiterated the US government’s commitment to promoting the free flow of information both into, out of, and within North Korea.
Furthermore, the US has urged North Korea to reduce tensions and refrain from any actions that could escalate the risk of conflict. This statement comes amidst reports of North Korea sending over 1,600 balloons filled with trash and waste into South Korea since May 28th, in what they claim is a response to South Korean activists sending leaflets into the North.
It is no secret that North Korea is one of the most repressive countries in the world, where the government tightly controls all forms of media and restricts its citizens’ access to information. In fact, watching or listening to any South Korean cultural content is strictly forbidden and can result in severe punishment.
The leaflet campaigns, organized by human rights activists, aim to provide the people of North Korea with information about the outside world and the oppressive regime ruling over them. These leaflets also contain thumb drives filled with K-pop songs and dramas, which offer a glimpse into a world of freedom and expression that is denied to them.
However, these campaigns have sparked controversy in South Korea, where efforts are being made to ban them. In September 2023, the South Korean constitutional court struck down a law that prohibited sending leaflets to North Korea, stating that it violated the constitutional right to freedom of expression.
Despite this ruling, the opposition Democratic Party of Korea is attempting to use existing laws to block the campaign. As a party that advocates for engagement with North Korea, they have been opposed to sending leaflets over the border. This anti-leaflet law was passed in 2020, following North Korea’s destruction of an inter-Korean liaison office in response to leaflet activities.
The current leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, Lee Jae-myung, has called the leaflet campaigns “illegal under the current law.” Similarly, the current governor of Gyeonggi Province, Kim Dong-yeon, has stated that he is considering declaring certain areas in the province as “danger zones” to prevent the launch of propaganda leaflets. He has also mentioned dispatching police to potential leaflet sites to increase surveillance.
However, there are doubts about the legality of these actions under the Act on the Performance of Duties by Police Officers. According to the National Police Agency commissioner, it is unclear whether sending balloons filled with trash would constitute an urgent and grave threat to the public’s lives and safety, which is a prerequisite for restricting activities under this law.
Experts have also weighed in on the issue, with David Maxwell, vice president of the Center for Asia Pacific Strategy, stating that Seoul’s actions align with the 2014 U.N. Commission of Inquiry’s recommendations to call out North Korea for its human rights abuses, including the denial of information to its people.
Bruce Klingner, a senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation, pointed out that while the balloons sent from North Korea are government actions and a violation of the armistice, the ones sent from South Korea are by non-government organizations, making them legal.
Robert Rapson, who previously served as charge d’affaires and deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, believes that while the decision to pause loudspeaker broadcasts is a positive step towards de-escalation, it would be beneficial to also pause balloon launches from the South.
In conclusion, the US’s support for providing outside information to the people of North Korea is crucial in breaking the regime’s hold on its citizens and promoting freedom of expression. It is essential for the international community to stand together in condemning the North Korean government’s oppressive actions and continue to support efforts to provide the people of North Korea with access to independent information. As tensions on the Korean Peninsula continue to rise, it is vital for all parties involved to work towards de-escalation and finding a peaceful resolution. Let us continue to support the free flow of information and promote human rights for all.
