Seoul, Dec 17 (NationPress) The military conducted the distribution of propaganda leaflets directed at North Korea on at least 23 occasions last year, under the administration of former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol. This action followed an order from the previous year to reinstate leaflet operations, as reported by a lawmaker on Wednesday.

The office of ruling party Representative Choo Mi-ae revealed this information, referencing findings from a defense ministry investigation, as Yoon faces accusations regarding the deployment of drones to North Korea last year, allegedly aiming to provoke a response and justify his declaration of martial law on December 3.

The National Security Council sanctioned the resumption of leaflet operations in October 2023, executing them between February and November last year, prior to Yoon's unsuccessful attempt to impose martial law on December 3, as per the investigation results shared with Choo's office.

This decision by the security council was made shortly after the Constitutional Court deemed a law prohibiting such campaigns unconstitutional in September 2023, citing the right to freedom of expression. Leaflet operations had been halted since July 2017.

During the council meeting that confirmed the resumption, then Defense Minister Shin Won-sik, then Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho, and other security officials were present. However, crucial details regarding the rationale for the resumption remain undisclosed due to classification.

Subsequent to the council's decision, which Shin communicated to the military in late 2023, the military's propaganda warfare unit disseminated leaflets across 35 target areas, including major cities in North Korea like Pyongyang and Wonsan, along with military installations, between February 18 and November 15.

North Korea has consistently reacted negatively to the military's loudspeaker broadcasts and leaflets distributed by activists, fearing that outside information could undermine its ruling regime.

In May of last year, North Korea resumed its own leaflet operations, releasing thousands of balloon-borne messages filled with trash across the border into South Korea, claiming that the Seoul government initiated the leaflet campaigns against its regime, as reported by Yonhap news agency.

This recent disclosure follows the conclusion of a special counsel that determined Yoon began preparations for his brief martial law imposition in or before October 2023, well over a year before the December 3, 2024 declaration.

In light of these findings, the defense ministry has initiated a special investigative unit to further explore allegations involving the military in the martial law bid.