Prosecutors to investigate anti-Pyongyang leaflet activists

(ATTN: RECASTS headline, lead; UPDATES with more details)
SEOUL, Feb. 18 (Yonhap) -- Prosecutors said Wednesday they have decided to launch
an investigation into activists who sent North Korean currency over the border as
part of an anti-Pyongyang campaign, allegedly violating South Korean law.
The decision came after Seoul's unification ministry submitted a request for an
investigation into the activists to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors'
Office earlier in the day under the unification minister's name.
Despite the government's repeated warnings, a group of North Korean defectors
sent North Korean currency with some 20,000 leaflets criticizing Pyongyang's top
leader, Kim Jong-il, on his birthday that fell on Monday. Most of the flyers sent
by balloon never reached the North, however, because of unfavorable winds.
Bringing North Korean money into South Korea is permitted only for trade
purposes. Violations can result in up to three years in jail or 10 million won
(US$6,798) in fines, according to the law on inter-Korean exchange and
cooperation.
The activists, Park Sang-hak, a North Korean defector, and Choi Sung-yong, whose
fisherman father is believed to be detained in North Korea, have vowed to
continue their activity despite possible punishment.
The leaflet campaign has been highly irritating to Pyongyang, as it openly
disparages the North Korean leader and anticipates the regime's fall.
Seoul officials are concerned that the campaign may provoke Pyongyang to take
military action amid signs it is preparing to test a long-range missile.
hkim@yna.co.kr
(END)