The Ministry of Unification has begun reviewing whether it is possible to broadcast loudspeakers to North Korea and distribute leaflets to North Korea, which are prohibited by the current law, when the inter-Korean ‘9/19 military agreement’ is suspended. Although it is a follow-up measure following President Yoon Seok-yeol’s instructions, criticism is raised that the Ministry of Unification, which is supposed to stably manage inter-Korean relations, is promoting a ‘strong to strong’ stance.
An official from the Ministry of Unification said at the Seoul Government Complex on the 5th, “If the September 19 military agreement is suspended, the relevant department is conducting a legal review to see if it is possible to engage in activities prohibited by Article 24 of the Inter-Korean Relations Development Act.”
The 9/19 Military Agreement (Military Agreement for the Implementation of the Historic Panmunjom Declaration) announced along with the Pyongyang Joint Declaration on September 19, 2018 completely prohibits all hostile acts in all spaces.
Following President Yoon’s order to consider suspending the September 19 military agreement in the event of a re-invasion of North Korea’s territory the day before, the government immediately began follow-up measures.
In the event of North Korea’s high-intensity provocation, similar to the drone invasion last month, it has expressed its will to resume loudspeaker broadcasts, visual media postings, and distribution of leaflets to North Korea in the area around the Military Demarcation Line.
An official from the Ministry of Unification explained, “This is an overwhelming and immediate response to North Korea’s recent routine provocations invading its territory.” However, some point out that preparing follow-up measures in the event of incapacitation is inconsistent, saying, “The existing position that all agreements between the two Koreas must be respected and implemented has not changed.” Criticism is raised that the Ministry of Unification, which should take the lead in improving inter-Korean relations and managing crises, is encouraging a ‘gang-to-gang’ stance toward North Korea.
The message that loudspeaker broadcasting and leaflet distribution to North Korea can be allowed can only lead to the result of escalating tension on the Korean Peninsula by stimulating North Korea, which has been committing unprecedented provocations.
The Panmunjom Declaration of April 27, 2018, which stipulates a suspension of loudspeaker broadcasts and distribution of leaflets in the area around the Military Demarcation Line, also appears to be at stake.
An official from the Ministry of Unification said, “It is the government’s official position that it is not reviewing the suspension of the Pyongyang Joint Declaration. drew a line
An official from the Ministry of Unification said, “I don’t think there will be a need for a separate legislative process.” Controversy is expected, however, if the Ministry of Unification changes the statutory prohibition only through its own interpretation of the statute. This is because the provisions banning loudspeaker broadcasting and leaflet distribution to North Korea were made through the legislative process of the National Assembly in 2020.