South Korea says North's release of burning leaflet photos 'very unusual'

The South Korean government called North Korea's release of footage showing the incineration of anti-Pyongyang leaflets "very unusual."

Materials believed to be anti-Pyongyang leaflets from South Korea burn after being discovered in North Korea, in this photo released by the North's Korean Central News Agency on Sunday. [YONHAP]

The South Korean government called North Korea's release of footage showing the incineration of anti-Pyongyang leaflets "very unusual."

"We find it very unusual that North Korea publicly revealed burning the leaflets sent" from South Korea, said Koo Byoung-sam, spokesperson for Seoul's Ministry of Unification, during a press briefing on Monday. "We will keep an eye on what intentions may lie behind this."

Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, issued a statement Sunday warning that South Korea would pay "a very high price" for sending anti-Pyongyang leaflets across the border. In an unprecedented move, she released a photo showing leaflets flown in from South Korea being burned alongside a pack of cold medicine.

"Today I was informed that dirty leaflets and things of the ROK scum have been found again in the border area and some deep areas of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea," Kim's statement read, as carried by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in English. "[We threw] into fire and [disposed of] the found rubbishes according to the regulation of dealing with enemy-dropped objects."

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea, or DPRK, is North Korea's official name, while the ROK is the acronym for South Korea's official name, the Republic of Korea.

"The ROK clans will be tired from suffering a bitter embarrassment, and must be ready for paying a very high price for their dirty play," Kim added.

Alongside Kim's statement, the KCNA released photos showing objects being burned. This marks the first time North Korean authorities have publicly showcased anti-Pyongyang leaflets dropped in their territory amid the protracted inter-Korean tensions surrounding leaflets and trash balloons since May.

So far this year, North Korea has responded to leaflets sent by South Korean civic groups by sending balloons filled with trash across the border.

The released photos, however, have not yet appeared in domestic media consumed by North Koreans, such as the Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of North Korea's ruling party. This suggests the images are a threat directed at South Korea.

"The government has made it clear that it will take measures that North Korea will find difficult to endure in response to North Korea's nonsensical and crude provocations involving trash balloons," the South's Unification Ministry spokesperson said.

Despite these threats, the South Korean government continued to say it would not intervene in the activities of civic groups sending leaflets to the North.

"We approach the issue of sending leaflets in line with the Constitutional Court's decision to protect freedom of expression, and appropriate measures will be taken considering the circumstances on the ground if necessary," Koo explained. "The government maintains close cooperation with relevant agencies and is doing its best to manage the situation."

In response to a question about North Korea's recent food situation, Koo said the ministry has observed "a slight increase" in market food prices in the country.

BY SEO JI-EUN [seo.jieun1@joongang.co.kr]