(Image: Yonhap News)
A U.S. bipartisan commission on human rights will reportedly hold a hearing to discuss a newly passed bill in South Korea that prohibits the launch of anti-North Korea leaflets across the border.
According to Voice of America citing a Republican official, the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission in the House of Representatives plans to convene the hearing on the issue when the new session begins in January.
Some critics, including U.S. lawmakers have expressed concerns about the bill, noting that the law undermines the freedom of expression while also cutting off what little access North Korean people have to outside information.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun had also privately conveyed such concerns during his trip to Seoul last week, according to the Washington Post.
Meanwhile, South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha has publicly defended the bill that freedom of expression can be limited for the safety of people, highlighting how dangerous the leaflet campaigns can be for communities near the border.
The National Assembly passed the bill on Monday and once in effect those who violate the law will face fines of up to 30 million won or imprisonment for up to 3 years.
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