Kim Dong-yeon Directs Establishment of Response System in Europe in Face of North Korea Leaflet Scattering Threat

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Kim Gap-dong] Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon presided over an emergency situation assessment video conference from his accommodation in the Netherlands on the 31st (local time the 30th) regarding a plan by families of abductees to scatter anti-North Korea leaflets.

Governor Kim received a briefing from Kim Sung-joong, Vice Governor of Administration, on the situation at Imjingang in Paju, the planned location for leaflet scattering, and subsequently issued five special directives.

The special directives include △prioritizing the safety of provincial residents amid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula as the top goal of provincial administration △prioritizing accurate information provision and active communication through safety notification text messages and media briefings △establishing an emergency response system with task managers implementing emergency duty △building a cooperative framework among related organizations including Gyeonggi Province Special Investigation Division, Paju City Hall, police, and fire services △strengthening patrols in areas outside Paju where North Korea leaflet distribution is possible.

Governor Kim Dong-yeon emphasized, "Early this morning, North Korea launched a ballistic missile into the East Sea, and tensions on the Korean Peninsula are escalating as never before. Before departing, I heard about residents in Daesungdong and border area residents experiencing inconveniences, and now they face safety threats from leaflet distribution. We must maintain heightened vigilance and take special measures."

Related to this, Vice Governor of Administration Kim Sung-joong held a press conference on the response to North Korea leaflet distribution and stated, "The province will concentrate all administrative efforts with the highest priority on protecting the lives and safety of provincial residents."

Accordingly, the province is rushing Vice Governor Oh Seok to the site to launch emergency response, while mobilizing a total of approximately 800 personnel, including the provincial Special Investigation Division (77 people), Paju City (70 people), eight mobile units from the Northern Police Agency, and Paju Fire Station, to prepare for all possible situations.

Additionally, the province is establishing a comprehensive emergency situation room chaired by the Vice Governor of Administration at the South Office, real-time monitoring of on-site situation information, and coordinating real-time joint response with relevant departments and related organizations.

Vice Governor Kim Sung-joong stated, "We will strengthen patrol and surveillance activities in areas outside the assembly zone where North Korea leaflet distribution is possible," and added, "As reports from residents are the most important for on-site response, residents who discover North Korea leaflet distribution activities are requested to immediately report to 112."

He continued, "Gyeonggi Province will establish immediate communication systems with the police, Paju City Hall, fire services, and other agencies to enable immediate response," and emphasized, "Gyeonggi Province will respond to all situations with the highest priority on resident safety."