‘Like giving access to ISIS propaganda’: South Korea lifts ban on North’s state newspaper; public divided over exposure

South Koreans can now read North Korea’s main state newspaper without prior government approval, marking a symbolic shift in Seoul’s long-standing restrictions on Pyongyang’s propaganda.For decades, access to the Rodong Sinmun was banned on security grounds. South Korea and the nuclear-armed North remain technically at war, and Seoul tightly controlled all exposure to North Korean media during the Cold War era. The newspaper, whose name means “Workers’ Newspaper,” is filled with missile test reports, praise for North Korean leaders and attacks on the United States. It is the official mouthpiece of the ruling Workers’ Party, and all media in the North is strictly controlled by the state.The change comes under dovish President Lee Jae Myung, who is seeking to improve relations with Pyongyang. He has dismissed fears about the move, joking that he does not believe South Koreans will “become commies” simply by reading the paper. Lee has described the easing of censorship as an “opportunity to understand the reality of North Korea accurately”.From this week, South Koreans no longer need to identify themselves or submit an application explaining why they want to read the Rodong Sinmun. Copies can be accessed at select public libraries, although North Korean websites remain blocked from South Korean IP addresses.“Practically speaking, this is really a symbolic change,” said Chad O’Carroll, whose website NK News hosts a platform for reading North Korean media, as quoted by news agency AFP. He said it would be far easier for students of North Korea if South Korea allowed direct access to North Korean state media websites, though that would require politically difficult changes to security laws.Public reaction in Seoul was mixed, with some strongly opposed to the move.“It’s like giving people access to ISIS propaganda,” said Park Si-won, a 22-year-old university student, referring to the militant group also known as Islamic State. “You wouldn’t do that unless you wanted them to join the terrorist group.”The policy change is not mutual. North Koreans are still banned from accessing any South Korean content and face heavy punishment if caught doing so.Seoul has said it will “steadily expand access” to information about North Korea as part of its efforts to repair ties that are currently at their worst in years. Some South Koreans support that approach.“Even if South Korean citizens can access the Rodong Sinmun directly, they would be able to interpret it based on their own standards and philosophies,” businesswoman Bae Jee-woo told AFP. “It’s highly unlikely that they would be significantly influenced by North Korea’s propaganda or anything like that.”