The government has reiterated that it can't block a civic group's plan to fly anti-North Korea leaflets, saying it doesn't have the legal basis to stop such activities.
 
During a briefing Friday, Unification Ministry spokesman Lim Byeong-cheol said releasing the anti-North Korea leaflets is an issue the private sector groups have to decide for themselves, adding that the government's stance hasn't changed and will remain the same.
 
However, Lim said that it is desirable for the government, which is responsible for the safety of South Korean people, to closely monitor North Korea's threats and deal with them moving forward.
 
Pyongyang released a statement on September 13 threatening to "destroy the origin of provocation as well as the entities supporting and leading it, "if South Korean activist groups send more anti-North Korea leaflets.