South Korea's unification ministry announced on December 26 that it will take administrative steps to allow public access to the Rodong Sinmun, the main newspaper of North Korea's ruling Workers' Party. The move aims to ease restrictions previously imposed due to concerns over North Korean propaganda. It seeks to uphold the public's right to know and promote inter-Korean exchanges.
On December 26, 2025, South Korea's unification ministry announced in Seoul that the government will implement administrative measures to permit public access to the Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of North Korea's ruling Workers' Party. The publication has long been classified as 'special materials' in South Korea, restricting access due to fears it promotes and praises the North Korean regime.
The ministry, along with the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and other agencies, held a consultative meeting that day to review reclassifying the Rodong Sinmun as 'general materials' under NIS guidelines. Participants reached a consensus on the reclassification, and the government plans to begin necessary steps next week, the ministry stated in a press notice.
The decision follows criticism from President Lee Jae Myung, who during last week's unification ministry policy briefing described the ban as treating the public 'as those who can fall for propaganda and agitation' from the North.
Currently, the Rodong Sinmun is available only at designated facilities, such as the ministry's North Korea information center, after verifying the applicant's identity and purpose. Once reclassified, South Koreans will gain easier access to its print version, though online access to the newspaper's website remains prohibited.
In a report to the National Assembly, the NIS indicated it will 'proactively' review lifting bans on online access to around 60 North Korean websites, restricted under the Information and Communications Network Act, which allows curbs on content linked to national security law violations.
This shift is expected to enhance the public's right to know and foster inter-Korean exchanges, while maintaining vigilance against propaganda.
