S Korea to advise activist against sending propaganda leaflets to DPRK

SEOUL, April 14 (Xinhua) -- The South Korean government on Wednesday said it will once again ask activists not to send propaganda leaflets to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), as the issue resurfaced following Pyongyang's condemnation of alleged propaganda activities of South Koreans.

"As several groups are planning to send leaflets in a large- scale campaign tomorrow, the government also plans to advise them against (such activities) in an appropriate manner," said Seoul's unification ministry spokeswoman Lee Jong-joo.

Her comment comes after several civic groups here announced their plan to send leaflets condemning the DPRK on Thursday to coincide birthday of former leader Kim Il-sung.

The groups also said they will criticize Seoul's unification ministry in leaflets for what it sees as the government's lackluster efforts to resolve pending issues between the two sides and allegedly blaming them for frayed bilateral ties.

The chronic dispute between South Korea and DPRK over propaganda activities reignited after the DPRK last Saturday warned to reconsider bilateral military agreements on border crossings unless South Korea takes step to stop what it calls anti- Pyongyang smear campaign.

South Korean ativists have for years floated propaganda balloons filled with leaflets criticizing the northern neighbor, which authorities here have found difficult to stop despite the DPRK's repeated protests. Seoul has said there is no legal ground to justify forcing civic group activists into stopping sending propaganda-filled leaflets into the DPRK.

The two sides agreed to halt all propaganda activities in 2004.