Seoul: A South Korean civic group representing families of abductees held in North Korea announced it is considering suspending its campaign of distributing anti-Pyongyang leaflets across the border. This development was revealed by Choi Seong-ryong, the head of the group, after he received a positive phone message from a high-ranking government official on Monday. The decision on whether to stop sending leaflets will be made after discussions with group members.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the remarks came following Choi's statement a week ago, in which he expressed the group's willingness to halt the leaflet distribution. This condition was contingent upon President Lee Jae Myung's assistance in confirming the status of abductees through dialogue with North Korea, and his meeting with and offering comfort to the families of the abductees, especially the elderly members in their 90s.
The unification ministry, tasked with handling inter-Korean relations, disclosed that its new vice minister had a phone conversation with Choi. During this interaction, Vice Unification Minister Kim Nam-jung conveyed a request to cease the distribution of leaflets and pledged to consider the opinions of the abductee families, as shared by a ministry official. While Choi appeared to earnestly consider the government's request, it remains uncertain whether the government will facilitate a meeting with President Lee, as Choi had requested.
Earlier this year, Choi's group launched balloons and drones to send anti-North Korean leaflets across the border from various locations, including Imjingak in Paju, Cheorwon in Gangwon Province, and a border area in Paju. However, the Lee administration has signaled its intent to potentially revise laws and take action to halt these activities from the border regions.
Choi expressed optimism about the current government's understanding of the abduction issue, highlighting their past support. He hopes for a definitive opportunity to ascertain the fate of the abduction victims through inter-Korean dialogue. Choi shared these sentiments during a meeting with reporters, following a visit to pay respects at the Belgium-Luxembourg War Memorial in Dongducheon, north of Seoul, marking the 75th anniversary of the Korean War.
Choi's personal connection to the cause stems from his father's abduction in 1967 while fishing near Yeonpyeong Island in the Yellow Sea. His father was executed in North Korea in 1972 due to his association with the U.S. military during the Korean War.