Gyeonggi Province Proceeds with Support Projects for Daeseong-dong Village Residents Affected by North Korean Loudspeakers in Paju

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Kim Gab-dong] Gyeonggi Province is proceeding with support projects without disruption, including the manufacturing of soundproofing facilities for 46 households in Daeseong-dong village in Paju, which are suffering from noise caused by North Korean loudspeakers, in connection with Governor Kim Dong-yeon's promise to install soundproof windows and other measures for residents.

Vice Governor Oh Hoo-seok held a resident meeting at Daeseong-dong village at Paju Campus of Gyeonggi Future Education on the 27th, encouraging residents and checking on progress. About 20 people, including village residents and emergency situation room staff, attended the meeting.

Previously, on October 23rd, Governor Kim Dong-yeon made three on-the-spot directives at a meeting with Daeseong-dong residents: △installation of soundproofing facilities in Daeseong-dong village △immediate deployment of two health screening vehicles and 'Maum Ansim Bus' (for trauma screening and treatment) △preparation of resident lounges and temporary accommodations.

At the meeting, Governor Kim stated, "Don't drag this out. Start construction right away, even tomorrow, and finish it in the shortest time possible," and instructed Vice Governor Oh, "Set up an emergency situation room at Paju City Hall, station yourself there, lead the special judicial police officers, and resolve problems directly on-site like today."

The Province has completed actual measurements and designs of windows for 46 households in Daeseong-dong village to reduce loudspeaker noise. The construction period extends until December 27th, with all work to be completed well before that date. Based on actual measurements, soundproofing facility manufacturing has begun, and full-scale on-site construction will commence from December 3rd.

In addition, to promote psychological stability and treatment of hearing loss caused by North Korean broadcast noise, the Province has established four rest areas at Camp Greaves starting from October 24th, and deployed health screening vehicles and Maum Ansim Bus to provide medical services including psychological counseling and hearing tests to 189 residents.

For temporary accommodation support, 24 rooms at Paju Campus of Gyeonggi Future Education have been rented starting from October 24th, with approximately 160 people having used them so far. Residents of Daeseong-dong village who have stayed at the temporary accommodations to escape the continuous day and night North Korean broadcasts expressed gratitude, noting that they are gradually finding stability with the Province's support.

The Province expects that through these support projects, residents of Daeseong-dong village will be able to escape the noise damage and live in a more stable environment. The Province also plans to enhance resident satisfaction through continuous monitoring and promptly resolve any issues.

Vice Governor Oh stated, "Gyeonggi Province has extended indefinitely the 'danger zones' set up in three cities and counties—Paju, Gimpo, and Yeoncheon—until the end of this month to prevent the distribution of anti-North Korea leaflets," adding, "We will continue to do our best to resolve not only the soundproofing facilities we promised but also the pain and inconvenience experienced by residents."