South Korea bans cross-border launch of propaganda leaflets in balloons

Source: Associated Press

October 22, 2012, 1:27 AM
South Korea bans cross-border launch of propaganda leaflets in balloons

SEOUL, South Korea South Korea banned activists from launching anti-Pyongyang leaflets across the heavily fortified border into North Korea on Monday in an unusual move to halt their propaganda campaign.

North Korea's military said last week it would strike if South Korean activists carried out their plan to fly balloons carrying the leaflets across the border. South Korea pledged to retaliate if it was attacked.

Hundreds of South Korean police were mobilized to seal off roads to prevent activists and other people from entering a launch site near the border, police said. Before Monday's action, the government had implored activists to stop their campaign, but it cited freedom of speech in not making further attempts to intervene.

Residents near the launch site were also asked to evacuate to underground bunkers, according to local official Kim Jin-a.


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