Seoul Backs Bill to Loosen Curbs on Contact With North Koreans

(MENAFN) South Korea's government has thrown its support behind a legislative push to loosen restrictions on citizens seeking contact with North Korean residents, backing a measure that would strip authorities of their power to block such contacts, local media reported Thursday.

The revision, put forward by Rep. Kim Joon-hyung of the minor Rebuilding Korea Party, would eliminate the government's authority to reject contact requests outright, and officials have signaled they will support the change, according to a South Korean news agency.

Under existing law, South Koreans intending to reach out to North Koreans must first file advance notice with the Unification Ministry, per the Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Act.

That law currently gives the ministry grounds to deny such requests when officials see a clear risk that the contact could damage inter-Korean relations or threaten national security, public order or public welfare.

"The government supports the proposed revision, considering the law's purpose of promoting inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation, operating a system consistent with the prior-reporting system and expanding autonomy in civilian exchanges and cooperation," the ministry said.

Officials noted the reporting requirement itself would stay intact under the revised bill, meaning South Koreans would still need to notify authorities in advance before contacting anyone in the North.

Not everyone is on board. Critics warn the change could strip regulators of key tools to catch illegal activity, including unauthorized money transfers to North Korea.

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