South Korea balloons: Seoul to ban people sending cross-border messages - BBC News

South Korea is to ban the sending of anti-Pyongyang leaflets into North Korea, ending a propaganda exercise that has taken place for decades.

Activists would tie the leaflets to balloons and float them over the border for North Korean residents to find.

The new law, which takes effect in three months, also stops campaigners sending money, goods and USB drives containing news and information.

Rights activists have said the law is a violation of freedom of speech.

 A bill was introduced in June after Kim Yo-jong - sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un - said balloon-senders were "human scum".

Breaking the law passed by the South's parliament will be punishable by up to three years in prison or a fine of 30 million won (£20,700; $27,500).