Read on Twitter
1/ I'm seeing a lot of discussions on Twitter about the "anti-leaflets" bill that the ROK National Assembly passed into law.
I'm still digesting it, but here are my preliminary thoughts.
First, here's the bill text (in Korean):
https://likms.assembly.go.kr/bill/billDetail.do?billId=PRC_M2H0X1G2U0B2K0N7P1Z2X3P7H1V1C2
I'm still digesting it, but here are my preliminary thoughts.
First, here's the bill text (in Korean):
https://likms.assembly.go.kr/bill/billDetail.do?billId=PRC_M2H0X1G2U0B2K0N7P1Z2X3P7H1V1C2
2/ Here's a good summary in English of the bill's intent by Rep. Song Yong-gil, chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee at the ROK National Assembly.
It is worth reading in its entirety. http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20201213000162&np=1&mp=1
It is worth reading in its entirety. http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20201213000162&np=1&mp=1
3/ In the article, Rep. Song explains the nearly 50-yr history spanning conservative and progressive SK governments to limit activities that could be deemed as slander or psychological warfare against North Korea, motivated by desire to protect SK border residents.
4/ "In 2014, the North fired artillery shells toward the South's near-border territory where persons were sending balloons with anti-regime leaflets.
Residents and local governments of the border area...petitioned the National Assembly to legislate a ban on...anti-NK leaflets."
Residents and local governments of the border area...petitioned the National Assembly to legislate a ban on...anti-NK leaflets."
5/ "In response, a revision bill to the Development of Inter-Korean Relations Act, which was drafted by myself as the Chair, was passed by the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee last week and submitted to the plenary session for a vote."
6/ The legislation is limited scope. It does not criminalize the action of sending leaflets and materials.
Where there's debate is what would constitute posing "grave danger to the citizen’s lives and bodies."
Greater clarification would assuage concerns by int'l observers.
Where there's debate is what would constitute posing "grave danger to the citizen’s lives and bodies."
Greater clarification would assuage concerns by int'l observers.
7/ Overall, this seems to be an effort by the ROK National Assembly protect South Korean people and their property, rather than an effort to undermine their freedom of speech.
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