South Koreans can now read North Korea’s Rodong Sinmun at libraries without state approval, a symbolic move under President Lee’s push for better ties.
SEOUL: South Koreans are now permitted to read North Korea’s main newspaper, the Rodong Sinmun, at select public libraries without prior state approval.
The move reverses a longstanding ban on the publication, which was previously considered seditious material under national security laws.
Dovish President Lee Jae Myung, who is seeking improved relations with Pyongyang, has dismissed fears that reading the paper would turn citizens into communists.
Prospective readers no longer need to submit an application or identify their purpose, though physical access is still restricted to library copies.
Opinions in the capital Seoul were divided on the policy shift regarding the mouthpiece of North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party.
“It’s like giving people access to ISIS propaganda,” said university student Park Si-won, 22.
“You wouldn’t do that unless you wanted them to join the terrorist group.”
Elderly citizen Hong Se-wung, 81, called the change “undesirable” and “extremely unsettling”.
Others were skeptical about the practical impact, noting the decline of print media.
“Many people these days don’t even read physical newspapers anyway,” said graduate student Son Yu-jin, 27.
At Seoul’s national library, a handful of people were seen flipping through copies featuring photos of leader Kim Jong Un.
Specialist Chad O’Carroll of NK News described the change as “really a symbolic” one.
He argued that greater access would come from unblocking North Korean state media websites, which remains politically difficult.
South Korea has vowed to “steadily expand access” to information about the North as ties remain at a low point.
The policy is not reciprocal, as North Koreans face severe penalties for accessing any Southern content.
President Lee has framed the relaxation of Cold War-era censorship as an “opportunity to understand the reality of North Korea accurately”.
Businesswoman Bae Jee-woo agreed, stating South Koreans could interpret the content with their own critical judgment.
“It’s highly unlikely that they would be significantly influenced by North Korea’s propaganda,” she said.
