Friday, 16 May 2025
America Age
  • Trending
  • World
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Money
    • Crypto & NFTs
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion / Beauty
    • Art & Books
    • Culture
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Font ResizerAa
America AgeAmerica Age
Search
  • Trending
  • World
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Money
    • Crypto & NFTs
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion / Beauty
    • Art & Books
    • Culture
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
© 2024 America Age. All Rights Reserved.
America Age > Blog > World > South Korean activist resumes flying anti-North leaflets
World

South Korean activist resumes flying anti-North leaflets

Enspirers | Editorial Board
Share
South Korean activist resumes flying anti-North leaflets
SHARE

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A South Korean activist said Thursday he launched a million propaganda leaflets by balloon into North Korea this week, in his first such campaign while standing trial for past leafleting under a contentious new law that criminalizes such actions.

The law that took effect in March 2021 and punishes anti-Pyongyang leafleters with up to three years in prison has been hotly debated in South Korea, with critics saying Seoul’s liberal government was sacrificing freedom of speech to improve ties with rival North Korea.

Park Sang-hak, a North Korean defector-turned-activist, said he resumed his leafleting campaign this week after halting such activities for a year during a police investigation and court trial for sending balloons across the border in April last year. The trial is continuing and no verdict has been issued.

On Monday and Tuesday, his group floated 20 huge balloons carrying leaflets critical of North Korea’s nuclear program and the Kim family’s hereditary rule across the tense Korean border, Park said.

Park said the balloons also contained pictures of South Korea’s incoming conservative president, Yoon Suk Yeol, to show North Koreans the difference between the South’s election system and the North’s father-to-son successions. He said small books and USB sticks, which carry information about South Korea’s economic and cultural development, were also put in the balloons.

“North Korea has deceived us. It once said it would scrap its nukes but its leader Kim Jong Un and (his sister) Kim Yo Jong are now threatening to launch preemptive nuclear strikes on South Korea and the international community. I want to condemn such acts,” Park said by phone.

Police in Gyeonggi province, who have jurisdiction over the border areas where Park claimed to have launched the leaflets, said they were checking details about Park’s activities. They said they weren’t aware of Park’s reported leafleting in advance.

Park said some of his leaflets flown this week reached Pyongyang and other North Korean cities. Experts say many leaflets launched in the past landed in frontline South Korean areas. North Korea hasn’t reacted to any leafleting this week.

North Korea is extremely sensitive about any outside attempt to undermine Kim Jong Un’s leadership and weaken his absolute control over the country’s 26 million people, most of whom have little access to foreign news. In 2020, North Korea blew up an empty, South Korean-built liaison office on its territory after making a furious response to South Korean civilian leafleting campaigns. In 2014, North Korea fired at propaganda balloons flying toward its territory and South Korea returned fire, though there were no casualties.

In late 2020, South Korean lawmakers supporting outgoing, liberal President Moon Jae-in’s appeasement policy on North Korea passed the anti-leafleting law, arguing it is meant to avoid unnecessarily provoking North Korea and ensure the safety of frontline South Korean residents.

Moon will be replaced by Yoon, a former top prosecutor who has promised to take a tougher line on North Korea, on May 10. Yoon’s party has harshly criticized the anti-leafleting law.

___

Associated Press writer Kim Tong-hyung contributed to this report.

Share This Article
Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article Ukraine says Russian offensive in east picks up momentum Ukraine says Russian offensive in east picks up momentum
Next Article A political reckoning in Sri Lanka as debt crisis grows A political reckoning in Sri Lanka as debt crisis grows

Your Trusted Source for Accurate and Timely Updates!

Our commitment to accuracy, impartiality, and delivering breaking news as it happens has earned us the trust of a vast audience. Stay ahead with real-time updates on the latest events, trends.
FacebookLike
TwitterFollow
InstagramFollow
LinkedInFollow
MediumFollow
QuoraFollow
- Advertisement -
Ad image

Popular Posts

Can Inflatable Outdoor Furniture Ever Be Chic?

For the recurring series, That’s Debatable, we take on a contentious issue of the day…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

Diddy Named Amongst Traders in Elon Musk’s 2022 Twitter Takeover

Diddy was one of many buyers who helped Elon Musk snag X -- again when…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

Exclusive-Crypto exchange Binance helped Iranian firms trade $8 billion despite sanctions

By Angus Berwick and Tom WilsonLONDON (Reuters) - Crypto giant Binance has processed Iranian transactions…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

‘Bros’ Is a Rom-Com That’s True to 21st-Century Gay Life

“I’m the diversity hire,” Stoller, who is straight, told me.He thought immediately of Eichner, whom…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

You Might Also Like

Esther Rantzen urges MPs to again ‘strong, safe’ assisted dying invoice in vote
World

Esther Rantzen urges MPs to again ‘strong, safe’ assisted dying invoice in vote

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
Trump says folks in Gaza are ravenous and US will handle state of affairs
World

Trump says folks in Gaza are ravenous and US will handle state of affairs

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
Trump hails commerce offers as he wraps up Gulf journey – US politics dwell
World

Trump hails commerce offers as he wraps up Gulf journey – US politics dwell

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
Polish presidential hopefuls in last marketing campaign push – Europe stay
World

Polish presidential hopefuls in last marketing campaign push – Europe stay

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
America Age
Facebook Twitter Youtube

About US


America Age: Your instant connection to breaking stories and live updates. Stay informed with our real-time coverage across politics, tech, entertainment, and more. Your reliable source for 24/7 news.

Company
  • About Us
  • Newsroom Policies & Standards
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Careers
  • Media & Community Relations
  • WP Creative Group
  • Accessibility Statement
Contact Us
  • Contact Us
  • Contact Customer Care
  • Advertise
  • Licensing & Syndication
  • Request a Correction
  • Contact the Newsroom
  • Send a News Tip
  • Report a Vulnerability
Terms of Use
  • Digital Products Terms of Sale
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Settings
  • Submissions & Discussion Policy
  • RSS Terms of Service
  • Ad Choices
© 2024 America Age. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?