Hyonhee Shin

SEOUL (Reuters – South Korean officials who are likely to supervise North Korean ties have said that they oppose a ban on North Korean propaganda, suggesting that North Korea may return to sending leaflet-laden balloons.

Kwon Youngse was nominated to be the unification minister of a conservative government. He said that a ban on the sending of propaganda by people, which the previous liberal government had implemented to strengthen ties with North Korea, violated the freedom of speech.

Kwon stated to reporters that he believed it was problematic for the Constitution to regulate such activities.

Activists in South Korea and defectors from North Korea sent balloons with leaflets across the border that was tightly controlled between both Koreas for many decades.

The South Koreans also received food, medicine and money via miniature radios as well USB sticks loaded in South Korean news and dramas. They were transported by balloons across the border and placed plastic bottles along the waterways.

North Korea technically remains at war after their conflict of 1950-1953 ended in a truce. In the past, South Korea threatened to attack South Korea because it had balloons.

Propaganda efforts were banned by the outgoing government in 2020 because they threatened the safety and security of the residents at the border.

Actors and defectors denounced this ban because it was part of government efforts to silence critics while trying to improve relations.

Yoon Sukyel was elected President and will take office on May 10. On Wednesday, Kwon was nominated to the Unification Ministry to manage North Korea Policy. The new government is likely to be more confrontational with North Korea.

Kwon claimed he had maintained the same position as in his 2021 commentary. In that commentary, he called for the abolishment of the ban. He also accused the previous administration of not caring about ordinary North Koreans.

He said that “the current government appeared only interested in improving relations between the North and its leadership and not in changing North Korean societies.”

Kwon will be subject to a confirmation hearing by the parliamentary committee. He stated that it was “difficult” to normalize inter-Korean relations at a moment when Pyongyang is still developing its nuclear program.

While a Yoon government might appear “hawkish” or hardline as it seeks to increase its military capabilities to better repel North Korean threats, Kwon stated that he will work to foster momentum for peaceful dialogue.