How North Korea’s anti-leaflet law plays up threats of biological warfare



Analysis How North Korea’s anti-leaflet law plays up threats of biological warfare Law frames activist balloons as a danger to political stability and public health, but mild punishments belie claims Peter Ward August 11, 2025 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON Items allegedly sent to the DPRK by NK activists, and North Korean emergency personnel wearing hazmat suits in a paramilitary parade \| Images: KCNA, edited by NK Pro South Korea’s new President Lee Jae-myung has targeted activist leafleting into North Korea since taking office, seeking to curb the activity on the grounds that it aggravates inter-Korean tensions and endangers border residents. But this crackdown is only the latest chapter in a long-running controversy over leafletting, one that has also seen the DPRK embrace legal means to stop them. In an escalating bid to curb external influence and control its information environment, North Korea enacted the Hostile Materials Disposal Act in Feb. 2023, criminalizing the entry and distribution of foreign materials such as leaflets Read More © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. LATEST ANALYSIS 01Likely Russian ship docks in North Korea’s Rason port for first time since May 02Trump doesn’t need a grand deal with Kim, but rather small coordinated actions 03North Korean trade with China rises 3.7% in August thanks to wig exports: data 04North Korea tensions expose Seoul’s uneasy relationship with UN Command 05North Korea’s politburo meeting hints at secret changes to senior officials 06The bureaucracy test: Signs to look for before a Trump-Kim summit 07China has reasons to like Trump’s North Korea outreach — and reasons to worry 08North Korea’s old alliance with Tanzania quietly finds new life

Analysis

How North Korea’s anti-leaflet law plays up threats of biological warfare

Law frames activist balloons as a danger to political stability and public health, but mild punishments belie claims

Peter Ward August 11, 2025

How North Korea’s anti-leaflet law plays up threats of biological warfare

Items allegedly sent to the DPRK by NK activists, and North Korean emergency personnel wearing hazmat suits in a paramilitary parade | Images: KCNA, edited by NK Pro

South Korea’s new President Lee Jae-myung has targeted activist leafleting into North Korea since taking office, seeking to curb the activity on the grounds that it aggravates inter-Korean tensions and endangers border residents.

But this crackdown is only the latest chapter in a long-running controversy over leafletting, one that has also seen the DPRK embrace legal means to stop them.

In an escalating bid to curb external influence and control its information environment, North Korea enacted the Hostile Materials Disposal Act in Feb. 2023, criminalizing the entry and distribution of foreign materials such as leaflets

How North Korea’s anti-leaflet law plays up threats of biological warfare

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Peter Ward