ID :
47895
Fri, 02/27/2009 - 12:54
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/47895
The shortlink copeid
Prosecutors question activists on use of N. Korean banknotes
SEOUL, Feb. 26 (Yonhap) -- Prosecutors on Thursday questioned two activists who
brought in North Korean bills for their leaflet campaign criticizing North Korea,
allegedly in violation of South Korean law.
The South Korean government has not restricted the controversial leaflet
campaign, which criticizes North Korean leader Kim Jong-il as "the most vicious
dictator and murderer," saying there was no law to stop it.
But the Unification Ministry requested a probe for the first time last week,
after the activists attached North Korean banknotes to their flyers to encourage
North Korean citizens to pick them up.
Bringing North Korean money into South Korea is permitted only for trade purposes
or for personal possession. Violations can result in up to three years in jail or
10 million won (US$6,562) in fines, according to the law on inter-Korean exchange
and cooperation.
A North Korean defector, Park Sang-hak, and Choi Sung-yong whose fisherman father
is allegedly being held in North Korea, flew scores of North Korean banknotes
attached to some 20,000 propaganda leaflets toward North Korea via gas-filled
balloons on Feb. 16, Kim's birthday. Most of the flyers never reached the North,
however, because of unfavorable winds.
Prosecutors said they questioned the activists about how the North Korean money
was brought in. Other details were not available.
"They asked us how we acquired the North Korean bills and how much we have," Park
said.
The activists previously claimed that they had received the North Korean bills
through middlemen in the Chinese border region near North Korea and that they
didn't need government approval as their purpose for bringing them into the
country is not stipulated as requiring prior government approval.
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
coercive action amid increasing border tension and the North's suspected
preparations to launch a long-range missile.
hkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
brought in North Korean bills for their leaflet campaign criticizing North Korea,
allegedly in violation of South Korean law.
The South Korean government has not restricted the controversial leaflet
campaign, which criticizes North Korean leader Kim Jong-il as "the most vicious
dictator and murderer," saying there was no law to stop it.
But the Unification Ministry requested a probe for the first time last week,
after the activists attached North Korean banknotes to their flyers to encourage
North Korean citizens to pick them up.
Bringing North Korean money into South Korea is permitted only for trade purposes
or for personal possession. Violations can result in up to three years in jail or
10 million won (US$6,562) in fines, according to the law on inter-Korean exchange
and cooperation.
A North Korean defector, Park Sang-hak, and Choi Sung-yong whose fisherman father
is allegedly being held in North Korea, flew scores of North Korean banknotes
attached to some 20,000 propaganda leaflets toward North Korea via gas-filled
balloons on Feb. 16, Kim's birthday. Most of the flyers never reached the North,
however, because of unfavorable winds.
Prosecutors said they questioned the activists about how the North Korean money
was brought in. Other details were not available.
"They asked us how we acquired the North Korean bills and how much we have," Park
said.
The activists previously claimed that they had received the North Korean bills
through middlemen in the Chinese border region near North Korea and that they
didn't need government approval as their purpose for bringing them into the
country is not stipulated as requiring prior government approval.
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
coercive action amid increasing border tension and the North's suspected
preparations to launch a long-range missile.
hkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
