South Korean Christians back criticism of North Korea
Catholic and Protestant leaders want peace and reconciliation without being gagged
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Schoolchildren clean the steps in front of the statues of late North Korean leaders Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il at Mansu Hill in Pyongyang in this July 2017 file photo. (Photo: AFP)
Catholics and Protestants in South Korea have voiced support for a movement that seeks to amend legislation that is seen as a benchmark for peace and reconciliation with North Korea but bars any criticism of the communist regime.
The North Korean diaspora, including refugee groups in South Korea and North Korean rights activists in the United States, has been pressing for amendment of the Development of Inter-Korean Relations Act 2005, also known as the Act on the Prohibition of Spreading Warfare Against North Korea.
Daily NK
Serious concerns with Article 24 of the Amendment to the Development of Inter-Korean Relations Act
2020.12.24 4:24pm
“‘The principle of clarity,’ an expression of the principle of a constitutional state, is required for all legislation restricting basic rights. If a criminal cannot know what is prohibited and what is allowed in accordance with the meaning of norms, this will lead to weakened legal stability and predictability and enable arbitrary enforcement by law enforcement authorities.” Compilation of Judicial Reports 14-1, 1, 8., 2000hun-ga8, Jan. 31, 2002, Constitutional Court
The “principle of clarity” mentioned above means that people must be able to clearly understand what is illegal or legal from what is said in laws. As an example of the principle of clarity, the UN Commission of Inquiry (COI) pointed out the ambiguity present in the North Korean Criminal Code. The COI’s report, which was released in February 2014, says that “
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Unification ministry drafting guidelines on leafleting ban to clarify scope of application : official
SEOUL, Dec. 24 (Yonhap) The unification ministry is drafting guidelines on a recently legislated ban on sending anti-Pyongyang leaflets into North Korea to provide a clear interpretation of the law before it goes into effect, an official said Thursday.
The amendment to the Development of Inter-Korean Relations Act, which passed the National Assembly and the Cabinet earlier this month, has raised concerns among critics, including some U.S. lawmakers, that it could hurt freedom of expression and undercut efforts to send outside information into the reclusive North.
South Korea bans dropping anti-Pyongyang leaflets
South Korea has barred the sending of propaganda leaflets, goods and money into North Korea. Seoul said the amendment is necessary to protect the lives and safety of people living in border regions.
The amendment calls for those who send leaflets across the border to be imprisoned or fined
South Korea s Cabinet has approved a bill banning the launching of propaganda leaflets into North Korea, South Korean news agency Yonhap reported.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Choi Young-sam told reporters on Tuesday that the Seoul government promises to strengthen communication with the international community, including the United States, to provide an extensive explanation of the decision to avoid any misunderstanding.
South Korea bans dropping anti-Pyongyang leaflets
The amendment to the Development of Inter-Korean Relations Act, which passed the National Assembly earlier this month, calls for those who send leaflets across the border to be punished with up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 30 million won. December 22, 2020 5:24:18 pm
South Korea has barred the sending of propaganda leaflets, goods and money into North Korea. Seoul said the amendment is necessary to protect the lives and safety of people living in border regions. (Yonhap/picture alliance)
South Korea’s Cabinet has approved a bill banning the launching of propaganda leaflets into North Korea, South Korean news agency Yonhap reported.