South Korea has reaffirmed that it cannot forcibly restrict civic groups from sending anti-North Korea propaganda leaflets across the border despite the North’s threats of an armed response.
 
Unification Ministry spokesman Lim Byeong-cheol said at a regular news briefing on Wednesday that the leaflet release by civic groups is about freedom of expression and the government has no legal grounds to forcibly restrict the right.
 
The spokesman, however, said that the government will take steps necessary to stop leaflet activities when they put the lives of citizens in the border area in danger.
 
Amid speculations that some civic groups may resume the leaflet campaign, the North recently warned that it will destroy balloons and drones carrying anti-North Korea leaflets.