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South Korea’s Military Conducted Secret Leaflet Operations to North Korea Before Martial Law Crisis
South Korean military forces conducted 23 propaganda leaflet operations targeting North Korea throughout 2023 under the administration of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, according to information revealed by a lawmaker on Wednesday.
The operations, disclosed by ruling party member Choo Mi-ae’s office, were uncovered during a Defense Ministry investigation, South Korean news agency Yonhap reported. The revelation adds another dimension to the political crisis that ultimately led to Yoon’s impeachment.
According to the investigation, South Korea’s National Security Council approved the resumption of leaflet operations in October 2023, with campaigns scheduled between February and November 2024. This timeline aligns with what investigators describe as Yoon’s preparations for declaring martial law, which he unsuccessfully attempted on December 3, 2024.
The former president now faces serious allegations that he deliberately provoked North Korea through these leaflet campaigns and drone operations to create conditions justifying a martial law declaration.
Key officials present at the security council meeting that approved the resumption included then-Defense Minister Shin Won-sik and then-Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho. However, the specific justifications for restarting the sensitive operations remain classified.
Following approval, the military’s propaganda unit targeted 35 areas across North Korea, including major population centers like Pyongyang and Wonsan, as well as military installations. The leaflets were distributed systematically from February through November 2024.
The resumption of leaflet operations followed a September 2023 Constitutional Court ruling that overturned a previous ban, citing freedom of expression concerns. Prior to this, such campaigns had been suspended since July 2017 due to their potential to heighten tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
Experts note that such propaganda operations are particularly sensitive in inter-Korean relations. North Korea has frequently responded with strong condemnation and threats when civilian activists or government entities send materials across the border.
“These types of operations have historically been flashpoints in the relationship,” said Dr. Kim Min-ho, a security analyst at Seoul National University. “The timing raises legitimate questions about whether they were conducted for legitimate intelligence purposes or as part of a broader political strategy.”
The leaflet campaign revelation comes amid continued fallout from South Korea’s political crisis. When Yoon declared martial law in December 2024, the National Assembly moved swiftly to overturn it within approximately six hours. Yoon was subsequently impeached and suspended on December 14 of that year.
In an unprecedented move, Yoon became the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested when he was taken into custody in January on charges of leading an insurrection. Though briefly released in March, he was re-arrested in July and remains in detention as legal proceedings continue.
The Constitutional Court formally removed Yoon from office in April, marking a dramatic conclusion to his presidency and triggering significant political realignment in South Korea.
The ongoing investigations into Yoon’s administration have revealed what prosecutors describe as a calculated strategy beginning in October 2023 to create conditions for declaring martial law more than a year later.
Political observers suggest the revelations about the leaflet campaigns provide critical context for understanding the events leading to South Korea’s constitutional crisis and highlight concerns about potential manipulation of inter-Korean tensions for domestic political purposes.
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10 Comments
This news underscores the complex and often adversarial relationship between the two Koreas. I hope cooler heads will prevail and that both sides can find ways to reduce tensions through dialogue and diplomacy.
Given the sensitive nature of this issue, it will be important for all parties to carefully consider the potential consequences of their actions and statements.
Conducting covert propaganda operations against a nuclear-armed neighbor is a risky move. I hope this doesn’t further inflame tensions on the Korean peninsula.
The allegations that these campaigns were used to justify a martial law declaration are quite alarming. Transparency and restraint are crucial in such a delicate regional situation.
This news highlights the ongoing information warfare and political maneuvering between the two Koreas. I wonder what the international community’s response will be to these revelations.
Given the potential for miscalculation and unintended consequences, I hope all parties involved will show restraint and focus on diplomatic solutions to reduce tensions.
Interesting revelations about the South Korean military’s secret propaganda campaigns against the North. I wonder what the broader political and regional implications of these leaflet operations might be.
It seems the timing of these campaigns was tied to the former president’s efforts to declare martial law. Definitely raises concerns about potential provocations and escalation.
The scale and coordination of these 23 leaflet campaigns is quite remarkable. I’m curious to learn more about the specific messaging and intended effects of this propaganda effort.
The alleged link to preparations for martial law is particularly concerning. Transparency and accountability will be crucial in understanding the full context and implications.