Gyeonggi Province: "We will prevent North Korean leaflet distribution at all costs"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Kim Gap-dong] Gyeonggi Province announced that, according to an administrative order currently in effect based on instructions from Governor Kim Dong-yeon, it will absolutely and thoroughly prevent the distribution of leaflets to North Korea in high-risk areas such as Paju through intensive patrols and surveillance activities.

On the 18th, the Province emphasized this through a spokesperson's briefing, stating: "Although North Korea's loudspeaker broadcasts to the South ceased after the 12th, the Abducted Separated Family Union has completed assembly registration to distribute North Korean leaflets at Imjingak in Paju from the 14th through July 10th."

The Province stated, "We judge that if leaflet distribution were to occur at the assembly, it would seriously threaten the safety and peace of residents in border areas," and added, "We clearly declare that we will prohibit the importation of items related to North Korean leaflets within high-risk areas, and will punish those who attempt forcible distribution of leaflets."

Furthermore, the Province stated, "We will closely monitor the movements of organizations related to North Korean leaflet distribution, understand wind directions by time, and thoroughly conduct border patrols to prevent surprise leaflet distribution," adding, "Such efforts will continue indefinitely until the administrative order with no set deadline is lifted."

Accordingly, the Province, as Governor Kim Dong-yeon has emphasized, will firmly respond to prevent North Korea's trash balloons, loudspeaker broadcasts to the South, and private organizations' distribution of North Korean leaflets from disrupting the daily lives of border area residents.

Meanwhile, Governor Kim Dong-yeon issued an administrative order on October 16 last year (based on the Framework Act on Disaster and Safety Management) designating three cities and counties—Paju, Yeoncheon, and Gimpo—as high-risk areas, and has coordinated all-out responses with the Province's Special Judicial Police Unit, cities and counties, police, and military units to prevent North Korean leaflet distribution.