The government is considering placing restrictions on local civic groups that send anti-Pyongyang propaganda leaflets by balloon over the border.
 
In a briefing Monday, Unification Ministry spokesman Lim Byeong-cheol said there was actual fire against the leaflets and that the government will consider the concerns of residents in the border area.
 
He said in the past, the police had asked civic groups attempting to fly leaflets to the North to refrain from entering the border area or persuaded them to turn back and that the government may take similar actions if necessary.
 
The statement comes after residents near the border area expressed anxiety after the North fired anti-aircraft machine guns at balloons carrying leaflets Friday.
 
Lim said, however, that sending leaflets to the North is a matter that should be freely decided by civic groups and that the government remains unchanged in its position that there is no legal means to stop them.