What change does the government support in the bill on contacting North Koreans?

The government supports removing its authority to block planned contact with North Korean residents while keeping the advance-reporting system in place. The ministry said the revision would expand autonomy in civilian exchanges and cooperation.

Why are critics opposing the proposed revision to the inter-Korean contact rules?

Critics say the change could leave the government with fewer tools to stop illegal activities, including unauthorized remittances to the North. Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo said the public should first see concrete measures before the government gives up its blocking power.

What does the current Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Act require before South Koreans contact North Koreans?

It requires South Korean nationals to file a prior report with the unification ministry before making contact. The ministry may still review such requests under the current system, but the proposed revision would remove its authority to reject them.

Gov't supports bill easing restrictions on civilian contact with N. Koreans: lawmaker

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Summary

The government supports a bill that would remove its authority to block South Koreans from contacting North Korean residents, Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo said Thursday. The revision would keep the prior-reporting requirement under the Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Act but would eliminate the ministry’s power to reject contacts on security or public-order grounds. Critics warned that the change could weaken safeguards against illegal activities such as unauthorized remittances to the North.

Key Facts

Under the current law, South Korean nationals must report planned contact with North Korean residents to the unification ministry in advance.
The ministry can now reject contact requests if they are seen as undermining inter-Korean cooperation or threatening national security, public order or public welfare.
Rep. Kim Joon-hyung of the minor Rebuilding Korea Party proposed the revision, and Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo of the People Power Party cited a Unification Ministry report saying the government backs it.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 17, 2026 10:18 am KST

An elderly North Korean woman sheds tears as she bids farewell to her long-lost kin from South Korea in a bus after the second round of the 21st inter-Korean family reunion event at the North's Mount Kumgang resort, Aug. 26, 2018. Yonhap

The government has expressed support for a bill that would ease restrictions on South Koreans seeking to contact North Korean residents by removing its authority to block such contacts, officials said Thursday.

Under the Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Act, South Korean nationals planning to make contact with North Koreans are required to file a report in advance with the unification ministry.

The ministry may reject such requests if there are clear concerns that the contact may undermine inter-Korean cooperation or pose a threat to national security, public order or public welfare.

A revision proposed by Rep. Kim Joon-hyung of the minor Rebuilding Korea Party seeks to remove the government's authority to reject such requests, and the government has decided to support the move, Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo of the main opposition People Power Party said, citing a report from the unification ministry.

The ministry confirmed its position, saying, "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 stressed that the reporting system will still remain in place under the revision, requiring all South Koreans to report their planned contacts with North Koreans in advance.

Critics have raised concerns that the envisioned revision may leave the government with fewer measures to prevent illegal activities, such as unauthorized remittances to the North.

"Opening and expanding the door to civilian exchanges and the government turning a blind eye are two completely different issues," Rep. Ahn said. "The government must present concrete measures to the public before giving up its authority to prevent contacts that clearly pose risks."

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