Gyeonggi Province Discovers High-Pressure Gas Canisters at Residence of North Korea Leaflet Distribution Group Leader

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park No-hun] Gyeonggi Province designated five cities and counties across the northern border region as danger zones, prohibiting North Korea leaflet distributors from entering and banning North Korea leaflet distribution activities through an administrative order. An administrative enforcement action has now been executed against a North Korea leaflet distributor suspected of violating this order.

On the afternoon of June 17, Gyeonggi Province identified the residence of Lee Min-bok, head of the North Korea Balloon Unit of the Direct Assistance Movement for North Korean Compatriots, in Sohul-eup, Pocheon City, who was preparing to distribute North Korea leaflets. The province issued a danger zone and action prohibition administrative order and delivered a public notice.
Since the residence was empty, Deputy Governor for Peace Lee Jae-gang of Gyeonggi Province informed the representative by phone that distributing North Korea leaflets would constitute a violation of regulations and result in punishment, and placed the guidance document in the mailbox.
Additionally, high-pressure gas canisters for North Korea leaflet distribution were discovered at the scene, and a caution notice prohibiting their use was attached in cooperation with Pocheon City.
On that day, 38 personnel participated in the operation, including Gyeonggi Province Deputy Governor for Peace Lee Jae-gang, Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police Unit, Pocheon City, Korea Gas Safety Corporation, and fire and emergency safety personnel.

The North Korea Balloon Unit of the Direct Assistance Movement for North Korean Compatriots is known to have engaged in North Korea leaflet distribution activities using balloons and other means since 2005.

Gyeonggi Province implemented a "Danger Zone Designation and Action Prohibition Administrative Order" designating all areas of Yeoncheon County, Pocheon City, Paju City, Gimpo City, and Goyang City—excluding military installations—as danger zones until November 30 of this year.
The province cited "disaster prevention through controlling access of North Korea leaflet distributors and prohibiting their actions" as the reason for the danger zone designation in its administrative order. The province prohibited access by North Korea leaflet distribution-related personnel in the danger zone and banned preparation, transportation, distribution, and use of North Korea leaflets and related materials.
This administrative order is in accordance with Article 41 (Designation of Danger Zones) of the Disaster and Safety Management Basic Act, and violations are subject to imprisonment for not more than one year or a fine of not more than 10 million won.
Following the administrative order, the province informed sub-governors of border area divisions of the administrative order through a video at 10 a.m. and requested cooperation on measures to prevent North Korea leaflet distribution.

Previously, the province defined illegal North Korea leaflet distribution as an act threatening residents' lives and safety on June 12 and announced three countermeasures: ▲designation of danger zones in certain border areas and prohibition of North Korea leaflet distributor access ▲stopping preparatory actions such as vehicle movement and gas injection before North Korea leaflet distribution, and proactive prevention of illegal activities ▲strong measures including crackdowns, investigations, and accusations through the Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police Unit.
On June 16, the province held its first North Korea Leaflet Distribution Prevention Task Force (T/F) meeting, presided over by Deputy Governor for Peace Lee Jae-gang with heads of 16 related departments attending, to review specific implementation plans and departmental strategies in response to North Korea leaflet distribution.

The province has currently established emergency communication networks connecting cities and counties in the province—including Gimpo City, Paju City, and Yeoncheon County, where North Korea leaflet distribution has been frequent—with the Gyeonggi Southern and Northern Police Agencies, and has begun immediately reporting and responding to North Korea leaflet distribution incidents when they occur.