ROK calls for self-restraint of activists flying leaflets

SEOUL - The Republic of Korea (ROK) on Friday called for self-restraint of civic groups flying leaflets against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) across the border, though it reiterated that the government cannot forcibly ban the scattering of the anti-DPRK leaflets.

Unification Ministry spokesman Lim Byeong-cheol told a press briefing that there is no change in the basic stance over the anti- DPRK leaflets dispersion that the government cannot forcibly restrict civic groups flying such leaflets.

Lim, however, stressed that civic groups should act based on an prudent and cautious judgment to ensure safety of South Koreans amid the DPRK's threat of aimed shots at civic groups flying the anti-DPRK leaflets.

The DPRK's official KCNA news agency reported Thursday that it will take an aimed shot at the South Korean civic groups dispersing leaflets that denounce the DPRK regime and top leader Kim Jong Un.

Some conservative South Korean civic groups recently announced their plan to fly anti-DPRK leaflets on Oct 25 in areas near the western inter-Korean land border, causing the DPRK's threat of aimed shots.

On Oct 10, the DPRK forces fired machine gun toward balloons carrying the anti-DPRK leaflets floated by a South Korean civic organization, triggering an exchange of fire between the two Koreas.

Pyongyang repeatedly called for the stop of the leaflets spreading, accusing Seoul of supporting and acquiescing to the leaflets distribution.

South Korea has denied the DPRK's allegation, saying it was groundless to claim that the leaflets scattering was connected with the authorities.