A group of families of South Korean abductees to North Korea said on June 24 that it is reconsidering its campaign of sending anti-North Korean leaflets across the border. The move comes after Vice Unification Minister Kim Nam-joong contacted the group a day earlier to deliver words of consolation and open dialogue.

Choi Seong-ryong, head of the Family Union for Abductees (pictured), made the announcement after visiting the Korean War memorial for Belgian and Luxembourgish soldiers in Dongducheon, Gyeonggi Province, to mark the 75th anniversary of the Korean War.

“I received a call from a senior government official yesterday expressing sympathy, and we had a positive conversation, including making a plan to have a meal together,” Choi said. “As promised, I will discuss the matter with the families and announce our decision on whether to suspend the leaflet launches.”

Choi added, “Members of the current administration understand the abduction issue better than anyone and have supported us in the past. I sincerely hope this government can create an opportunity for dialogue with North Korea to confirm the fate of the abductees.”

Vice Minister Kim reportedly spoke with Choi by phone the day before. A Unification Ministry official told reporters that Kim asked Choi to stop the leaflet campaign and expressed willingness to listen to the voices of abductee families.

Chung Dong-young, the nominee for Unification Minister, also spoke with Choi by phone on the morning of the 24th.

Speaking to the press, Chung said he told Choi, “I heard you’re reconsidering the leaflet campaign. I highly commend your decision,” and added, “Halting the leaflet campaign is a necessary step for the safety and peace of inter-Korean relations. Let’s meet to discuss the details further.”

At a press conference on June 16, Choi said that the group would consider halting the leaflet campaign if President Lee Jae-myung personally met with the abductees' families to offer words of comfort. “If President Lee just shares a meal and gives some comfort to us, that alone would be enough,” he said.

The family union has carried out leaflet drops in April, May, and again on June 2, with the leaflets featuring photos and personal stories of abductees, along with demands for their repatriation.

After the leaflet campaign on June 6 was belatedly reported following the inauguration of the Lee Jae-myung administration, the Unification Ministry issued a strong statement of regret on the 9th and called for an end to such actions. Nevertheless, the group announced plans to launch more leaflets from Imjingak in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, and filed a protest notification with the Paju Police Station for gatherings through July 10.

Following President Lee’s directive on June 16, the government held an interagency meeting led by the Unification Ministry. As a result, authorities decided to deploy police forces in key areas to monitor and prevent further leaflet launches. The government also began reviewing possible legal revisions to strengthen the enforceability of penalties for such actions.

The administration plans to increase communication with groups involved in leaflet campaigns through meetings and other channels, urging compliance with the law and the suspension of all leaflet activities.