Defectors send leaflets North by balloon
Stunt beats blockade but draws criticism in South
Activists beat a blockade to send propaganda leaflets into North Korea
- Stephen Hong, Seoul
- Korea
- October 23, 2012
Activists have succeeded in sending propaganda leaflets across the border into North Korea despite attempts yesterday by police to stop them.
Around 80 activists, most of them defectors from the North, had planned to launch balloons carrying 200,000 leaflets from Imjingak, near the border, yesterday morning. The leaflets criticized North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his regime.
However, soldiers and police prevented them from doing so by blocking off the launch site near the Demilitarized Zone. The North said the balloons would be met by artillery fire if necessary.
Although initially thwarted by security forces several of the activists later made their way yesterday to the western island of Gangwha and launched balloons from there.
Tension was high ahead of the event and several hundred people living near the border were evacuated.
The two Koreas still remain technically at war following the 1950-53 Korean War which ended with the signing of an armistice.
Although leaflets have been launched into North Korea before, specific threats are unusual and launches have been mostly condemned.
The activists themselves have come under criticism, with experts saying their campaign does not help reconciliation and peace efforts on the Korean peninsular.
Lee Jang-hi, professor of international law at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, told ucanews.com that the campaign was more likely to turn back the clock “and hinder the building of mutual trust between two Koreas.”
Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies said the leaflets only encourages “the authorities to tighten control over the North Korean people.”
Related report
Border Christmas tree 'hampers peace’
Around 80 activists, most of them defectors from the North, had planned to launch balloons carrying 200,000 leaflets from Imjingak, near the border, yesterday morning. The leaflets criticized North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his regime.
However, soldiers and police prevented them from doing so by blocking off the launch site near the Demilitarized Zone. The North said the balloons would be met by artillery fire if necessary.
Although initially thwarted by security forces several of the activists later made their way yesterday to the western island of Gangwha and launched balloons from there.
Tension was high ahead of the event and several hundred people living near the border were evacuated.
The two Koreas still remain technically at war following the 1950-53 Korean War which ended with the signing of an armistice.
Although leaflets have been launched into North Korea before, specific threats are unusual and launches have been mostly condemned.
The activists themselves have come under criticism, with experts saying their campaign does not help reconciliation and peace efforts on the Korean peninsular.
Lee Jang-hi, professor of international law at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, told ucanews.com that the campaign was more likely to turn back the clock “and hinder the building of mutual trust between two Koreas.”
Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies said the leaflets only encourages “the authorities to tighten control over the North Korean people.”
Related report
Border Christmas tree 'hampers peace’
