Gyeonggi Province Blocks Anti-North Korea Leaflet Distribution at Source...Designates Border Areas as 'Hazard Zones'
[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park Noh-hoon] Gyeonggi Province has defined the distribution of anti-North Korea leaflets as an act threatening the lives and safety of residents, designated border areas in Gimpo, Goyang, Paju, and Yeoncheon as hazard zones, and will prohibit the entry of leaflet distributors to these areas.
Additionally, leaflets scattered into the air will be subject to administrative fines under the Outdoor Advertising Act, and pet bottles containing anti-North Korea leaflets scattered at sea will be treated as waste and subject to strong enforcement and prosecution measures under the Waste Management Act and Marine Environment Management Act.
Vice-Governor Lee Jae-gang of Gyeonggi Province held an emergency press conference at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government on the 12th, stating, "Gyeonggi Province judges that the act of distributing anti-North Korea leaflets goes beyond simple expression of opinion and is a reckless act of crisis instigation that provokes military conflict," and announced Gyeonggi Province's position and countermeasures regarding illegal anti-North Korea leaflet distribution.
Vice-Governor Lee said, "Gyeonggi Province experienced the Yeoncheon artillery attack triggered by anti-North Korea leaflet distribution in 2014," emphasizing, "The province intends to mobilize all administrative capabilities to prevent such dangerous situations from recurring. At minimum, we will take all possible measures to ensure that anti-North Korea leaflet distribution does not occur in Gyeonggi Province."
Gyeonggi Province's countermeasures against anti-North Korea leaflet distribution include: ▲Designation of border areas as hazard zones and prohibition of leaflet distributor entry ▲Prevention and advance blocking of preparatory acts such as vehicle movement and gas injection before leaflet distribution ▲Strong measures including enforcement, investigation, and prosecution through Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police, totaling three approaches.
First, the province regards anti-North Korea leaflet distribution as an act threatening residents' lives and has designated border areas as hazard zones, prohibiting the entry of leaflet distributors to these regions.
The current "Disaster and Safety Management Basic Act" Articles 41 (Designation of Hazard Zones), 43 (Traffic Restrictions, etc.), and 46 (Emergency Measures Implemented by Heads of Provincial Governments) allow heads of provincial governments to order hazard zone designation and traffic restrictions and emergency measures when deemed necessary to protect residents' lives and safety.
The province plans to designate border areas in Gimpo, Goyang, Paju, and Yeoncheon as hazard zones and is currently conducting surveys with municipal and county governments. The province plans to completely block entry into hazard zones with the cooperation of police and will take strong measures such as investigation through Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police and prosecution for those attempting to enter these areas.
Second, anti-North Korea leaflets without prior notification will be treated as illegal advertisements and subject to administrative fines under the Outdoor Advertising Act.
The province plans to conduct joint inspections with seven border municipalities and counties including Gimpo, Goyang, Paju, Yeoncheon, Dongducheon, Yangju, and Pocheon, and will immediately impose administrative fines on already collected anti-North Korea leaflets while continuing to impose fines on future cases.
Additionally, leaflets scattered into the air that fall to the ground will be treated as waste, and distribution will be prohibited from the source under the "Waste Management Act." When distribution occurs, the province plans to impose waste collection and restoration cost burdens.
Third, to prevent recurrence of residents' safety being threatened by anti-North Korea leaflet distribution, Gyeonggi Province will conduct strong enforcement and investigation utilizing the Special Judicial Police.
Accordingly, when pet bottles containing anti-North Korea leaflets or rice are distributed at sea, they will be treated as waste under the "Waste Management Act," and the "Act on Management and Reclamation of Public Waters" will be applied for direct enforcement, investigation, and prosecution. Additionally, such acts will be viewed as pollutant emission behavior and subject to enforcement, investigation, and prosecution for violations of the Marine Environment Management Act.
Furthermore, for those transporting high-pressure gas for anti-North Korea leaflet distribution, if they are unregistered, prosecution measures for operation suspension and immediate prosecution under the "High-Pressure Gas Safety Management Act" will be implemented.
Vice-Governor Lee stated, "Gyeonggi Province, which borders the Demilitarized Zone, opposes all acts that obstruct a new era of peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula," adding, "We hope that the flowers of peace, nourished by harmony and cooperation rather than vicious slander, will bloom fully in Gyeonggi Province."