ISTANBUL 

In a move aimed at easing tensions with Pyongyang, South Korea on Friday said it will begin administrative steps to allow citizens to access North Korea’s main newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, by reclassifying it under less restrictive rules.

A consultative meeting held earlier in the day reviewed reclassifying Rodong Sinmun as “general materials” rather than “special materials,” the category currently used under the spy agency’s guidelines due to concerns about pro-North Korean content, Yonhap News reported.

A consensus was reached to move forward, and the government will begin administrative procedures next week, according to the Unification Ministry.

Currently, South Koreans can only read the paper at designated facilities such as the ministry’s North Korea Information Center, where readers must verify identity and state a reason for access. Reclassification would allow public access to its printed edition, though the online version would remain off-limits.

The National Intelligence Service (NIS) has previously said it is “positively” reviewing broader access to North Korean materials to support the public’s right to information and encourage inter-Korean exchanges.

In a report to the National Assembly, the agency also said it would “proactively” examine lifting the online access ban on North Korea-related websites.

The move follows comments by President Lee Jae Myung, who said the current restrictions amount to “treating the public as those who can fall for propaganda and agitation” by the North.

Since taking office in June, the Lee administration has taken steps to reduce tensions, suspending border loudspeaker broadcasts and urging civic groups to halt anti-Pyongyang activities, signaling a renewed push for dialogue.

In a separate development, former senior officials from the administration of former President Moon Jae-in, including National Security Adviser Suh Hoon, former NIS Director Park Jie-won, and former Defense Minister Suh Wook, were acquitted Friday over allegations of covering up the 2020 killing of a South Korean fisheries official by North Korea.