South Korea court strikes down ban on anti-North Korea propaganda leaflets

South Korea's constitutional court ruled on Tuesday the ban on sending propaganda leaflets to North Korea was unconstitutional, striking down a law passed in 2020 by the liberal party of then President Moon Jae-in, who sought better ties with Pyongyang. The law, which subjects violators to up to three years in prison or 30 million won ($22,210) in fines, had come under intense criticism from rights activists and conservative lawmakers as a violation of free speech rights. The clause characterized the sending of leaflets as a potential cause of danger and serious harm to South Korean citizens, especially those who live near the border in the event North Korea retaliated by force.