The police have investigated a total of 72 cases related to the distribution of anti-North Korean leaflets since May of last year and stated that they would respond strictly during leaflet distribution.
A police official said at a regular press briefing that they have investigated 72 cases related to the distribution of anti-North Korean leaflets since May of last year, and that they have referred four individuals to prosecutors in connection with 13 of those cases, while 23 cases are under preliminary investigation or ongoing investigation.
President Lee Jae-myung directed measures for prevention and post-punishment as anti-North Korean leaflet distribution incidents occurred on 13th in Ganghwa Island. A police official noted, "We are currently conducting preventive activities focused on areas designated as dangerous under the Disaster and Safety Act," and added, "We plan to respond strictly to illegal activities and are actively consulting with local government related agencies, including a cooperative body led by the Ministry of Unification."
The government held a meeting with relevant ministries on the 16th to discuss measures for preventing and punishing the distribution of anti-North Korean leaflets and decided to deploy police mobile units to major border areas. They also conducted inspections and searches to prevent the distribution of anti-North Korean leaflets in border areas.
Meanwhile, a Korean National Police Agency official stated that related to the 21st presidential election held on the 3rd, "As of the 19th, a total of 2,831 cases and 3,274 individuals have been apprehended." A total of 573 individuals were apprehended for the 'five major election crimes,' including bribery, dissemination of false information, involvement of public officials in elections, electoral violence, and mobilization of illegal organizations, and among them, 9 with serious charges were detained. 332 individuals were referred to prosecutors, while 243 cases were closed due to non-prosecution or concluded before formal charges. The police plan to continue investigating the remaining 2,672 individuals.
The police also reported that an additional two accusations were filed regarding the 'chopstick remark' made by Reform Party member Lee Jun-seok during a TV debate when he was a presidential candidate, bringing the total number of accusations to five. A Korean National Police Agency official said, "We plan to investigate according to procedures such as interviewing the accusers."