Gyeonggi Province Indefinitely Extends Restricted Zone to Prevent Leaflet Scattering into North Korea
[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Kim Gap-dong] Gyeonggi Province is indefinitely extending the restricted zone designation period to prevent leaflet scattering into North Korea, which was scheduled to end this month. The measure is being taken in consideration of the right to livelihood and safety of residents in border areas amid continued announcements of leaflet scattering into North Korea by certain organizations.
Previously, on October 16, the province designated three cities and counties in northern Gyeonggi's border areas—Yeoncheon, Paju, and Gimpo—as restricted zones and issued an administrative order prohibiting entry and other activities for the purpose of scattering leaflets into North Korea until the 30th.
Gyeonggi Vice Governor Kim Sung-joong held a press conference at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government on the 26th and announced that the restricted zone designation period will be changed to "from October 16, 2024 until revocation is separately notified."
Vice Governor Kim explained, "After reviewing the matter from various perspectives regarding the extension of the restricted zone designation period, we decided to push forward with the extension in consideration of the fact that weather conditions conducive to leaflet scattering into North Korea continue even in winter, the ongoing threats from North Korea regarding such scattering, and the fact that the right to livelihood of border area residents is being threatened."
The province plans to change the restricted zone designation period to "until separate notice of revocation," and will comprehensively determine the timing of the zone's revocation while continuing enforcement and taking future circumstances into account.
The province stated that approximately 120 personnel are currently conducting daily patrols at the designated restricted zone in cooperation with the Gyeonggi Special Judicial Police Unit, municipal and county officials, and police, and have established a 24-hour emergency response system. No leaflet scattering into North Korea has been reported within the restricted zone since the administrative order took effect.
Additionally, North Korea dispatched approximately 6,600 trash-carrying balloons on 28 occasions from May 28 until before the restricted zone was designated, but since the zone's designation, it has limited its scattering to 3 occasions with approximately 90 balloons.
In a separate matter, the province has referred investigations against two leaflet-scattering organizations on suspicion of "violations of the Aviation Safety Act" and forwarded the cases to the Uijeongbu District Prosecutors' Office. Meanwhile, the province plans to install soundproof windows at 46 households in border villages that have suffered significant damage from North Korea's broadcasts toward the South, and will continue providing temporary housing support and medical assistance including health checkup buses until the situation ends.
Vice Governor Kim emphasized, "Gyeonggi Province will mobilize all available administrative resources to protect residents' complete livelihoods, and will hold uncompromisingly and seriously accountable any acts that threaten the safety of our citizens. We ask for your understanding that this extension of the restricted zone designation period is an unavoidable administrative measure to protect the lives and safety of our citizens, and urge your active cooperation despite any inconvenience."
Meanwhile, violations of entry prohibition, activity restrictions, or cessation orders related to leaflet scattering into North Korea can result in imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of up to 10 million won.