The government reaffirmed on Thursday that it will restrict the distribution of anti-North Korea leaflets by civic groups even though the South’s military has resumed psychological warfare against the North.  
 
A Unification Ministry official unveiled the position when reporters asked if the government would change its stance about civic organizations’ leaflet activities given that the South’s military is set to reactivate psychological warfare against the communist state.
 
The official said psychological warfare by government authorities is different from activities by civilians.
 
The official reconfirmed that the constitutional value of respecting the freedom of expression cannot be restricted without legal grounds but can be restricted in the event that it becomes a threat to the people or contradicts public order.
 
With regard to the leaflet campaigns, the official said facts and details about North Korea's threat as well as the distributor’s free will should be considered.  
 
Meanwhile, a civic group unveiled plans to send 500-thousand leaflets, denouncing North Korea’s latest land mine explosions, at 11 a.m. Friday from the Imjingak Pavilion area in Paju, Gyeonggi Province.