Seized Smuggled Books and CDs from North Korea, Marking the First Such Incident Since 2020
South Korean authorities have seized a collection of books, CDs, stamp albums, North Korean money, and medals on June 18, 2022. This seizure, according to data provided by Park Seong-hoon of the main opposition People Power Party, highlights ongoing efforts by South Korean authorities to enforce regulations regarding interactions with North Korea.
The seized items, published in North Korea, were smuggled into South Korea illegally, implying they were brought in contrary to the regulations set by the Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Act. This act, enacted in 1990, regulates all exchanges and interactions across the inter-Korean border.
The specific nature or content of the books, CDs, and other seized items was not specified in the article. However, any commodity made in North Korea must be authorized by the Ministry of Unification for it to be allowed into South Korea.
The Ministry of Unification, in South Korea, is responsible for overseeing most non-military interactions with North Korea. The Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Act under its purview has been instrumental in regulating these interactions.
This is the first time such seizures have occurred in South Korea since 2020. Previous seizures occurred 25 times in 2019, 27 times in 2018, and 4 times in 2017. The seized items serve as a reminder of the ongoing efforts by South Korean authorities to maintain the regulations set forth by the Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Act.
It is important to note that both South and North Korea claim to be the sole legitimate government on the Korean Peninsula. The two nations remain technically at war, as the Korean War ended with an armistice, not a peace agreement.
The smuggled goods from North Korea, consisting of 16 books and four CDs, were authorized by the responsible customs or law enforcement authorities upon seizure; however, no public information identifies a specific individual who authorized them.
This seizure of illegally smuggled North Korean goods underscores the importance of adhering to the regulations set by the Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Act. It also serves as a reminder of the ongoing tension between the two Korean states.
Read also:
- United States tariffs pose a threat to India, necessitating the recruitment of adept negotiators or strategists, similar to those who had influenced Trump's decisions.
- Weekly happenings in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
- Southwest region's most popular posts, accompanied by an inquiry:
- Discussion between Putin and Trump in Alaska could potentially overshadow Ukraine's concerns
