Seoul: South Korean activists sent propaganda leaflets over the border today into North Korea, ignoring their own government's pleas to stop the practice and threats from the North to sever relations if it continues.

North Korea announced last week it would ban border crossings starting December 1, citing the South Korean government's refusal to clamp down on "confrontational" activities, including the leafletting.

South Korean officials implored activists yesterday to stop sending the leaflets critical of leader Kim Jong Il and his authoritarian regime, saying the campaign threatens to heighten tensions with the North.

Relations between the two Koreas have been tense since conservative South Korean President Lee Myung-bak took office in February pledging to get tough with Pyongyang.

However, activists went ahead today and sent about 10 huge helium balloons, each stuffed with some 10,000 flyers, across the heavily fortified border.

"We'll continue to send the leaflets. The government's appeal wasn't sincere," Choi Sung-yong said after launching a balloon from a spot near the border.

Today's leaflets criticize Kim's autocratic rule and call on North Koreans to rise up against his regime, informing them Kim suffered a stroke recently.

"Your great leader's last days are approaching. The dictator has collapsed from illness," one leaflet says.

North Korea denies that the communist country s 66-year-old leader, who allows no criticism or opposition to his rule, was ever ill.
Source : PTI