Gyeonggi Province Indefinitely Extends Danger Zone Designation to Prevent Leaflet Drops to North Korea

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Kim Gap-dong] Gyeonggi Province is indefinitely extending the danger zone designation period to prevent leaflet drops to North Korea, which was previously scheduled to end this month. The measure takes into account the survival rights and safety of residents in border areas amid continued announcements of leaflet distribution plans by activist groups.

Previously, the province designated three cities and counties in northern Gyeonggi's border regions—Yeoncheon, Paju, and Gimpo—as danger zones on October 16, and issued an administrative order banning entry and related activities for the purpose of distributing leaflets to North Korea until the 30th.

Gyeonggi Province Vice Governor Kim Sung-joong held a press conference on the 26th at the Gyeonggi Province Government and announced a change to the danger zone designation period to "from October 16, 2024 until separate cancellation."

Vice Governor Kim stated, "After reviewing the extension of the danger zone designation period from multiple perspectives, considering the persistent meteorological conditions allowing leaflet distribution to North Korea even in winter, the continuing North Korean threats regarding leaflet distribution, and the resulting threats to the survival rights of border residents, we decided to proceed with the extension of the danger zone designation period."

The province plans to change the danger zone designation period to "until separate cancellation," allowing for comprehensive determination of the timing for lifting the danger zone in the future while conducting sustained enforcement measures and considering future circumstances.

The province stated that approximately 120 personnel from the Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police, municipal and county officials, and police are currently conducting daily patrols in the designated danger zone areas and have established a 24-hour emergency response system. Since the administrative order took effect, no leaflet distributions to North Korea have been reported in the danger zone.

Additionally, North Korea launched approximately 6,600 waste balloons in 28 separate instances from May 28 until before the danger zone designation, but has limited distribution to three instances with approximately 90 balloons since the danger zone was established.

Separately, the province has referred two leaflet distribution groups for investigation on suspicion of violating the "Aviation Safety Act" and forwarded the cases to the Uijeongbu District Prosecutors' Office. The province also plans to install soundproof windows for 46 households in villages near the border that have suffered significant damage from North Korean radio broadcasts, and will continue to provide temporary accommodation support and medical assistance including mobile health screening buses until the situation ends.

Vice Governor Kim emphasized, "Gyeonggi Province will mobilize all available administrative resources to protect residents' complete lives and will hold accountable any acts threatening provincial residents' safety without compromise. We ask for your understanding that this extension of the danger zone designation period is a necessary administrative measure to protect the lives and safety of our residents, and we request your active cooperation despite any inconvenience."

Meanwhile, violation of entry and activity prohibition or restriction orders related to leaflet distribution to North Korea will result in imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of up to 10 million won.