Gyeonggi Province takes action against organizations distributing propaganda leaflets to North Korea... pursuing judicial measures in cooperation with police

[Suwon Ilbo=Park No-hun Reporter] Gyeonggi Province detected a vehicle owned by a missionary organization A based in Seoul carrying helium gas canisters and Bibles while moving in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province, and is pursuing judicial measures against the organization in cooperation with police.

According to Gyeonggi Province on the 20th, the vehicle was detected by police at Galsan intersection in Gimpo City at around 7:50 p.m. on the 19th while transporting two large balloons, two helium gas canisters, and 14 Bibles. At the time of detection, the vehicle was confirmed to have had one foreign male who was a related person of missionary organization A.
After learning of the detection from Gimpo Police Station at around 8:30 p.m. on the 19th, Gyeonggi Province immediately dispatched the Gyeonggi Provincial Special Judicial Police to the scene to confirm the circumstances of the incident.
The Gyeonggi Provincial Special Judicial Police decided to unify under police investigation in cooperation with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency and transferred all crackdown materials in the form of a formal complaint.
An official from the Gyeonggi Provincial Special Judicial Police said, "This is a measure taking into account that the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency is currently investigating actions related to distributing propaganda leaflets to North Korea," and added, "We are strengthening cooperation with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency for swift and effective investigation."

Organization A also attempted to release four propaganda balloons containing Bibles to North Korea in Cheorwon County, Gangwon Province on the 3rd, and was referred to the Gangwon Provincial Police Agency. Gyeonggi Province previously requested a criminal investigation from the Northern Gyeonggi Provincial Police Agency and Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency against four organizations distributing propaganda leaflets to North Korea, including organization A, on suspicion of fraud and embezzlement on the 22nd of last month.

Gyeonggi Province plans to continue cracking down on propaganda leaflet distribution activities and, if distribution activities are detected, will respond strongly including arrest of suspects on the spot.
Meanwhile, Gyeonggi Province has implemented a "designation of dangerous areas and prohibition of activities order" on July 17th last month designating all five border counties and cities, including Gimpo City excluding military facilities, as dangerous areas through November 30th. With the implementation of the administrative order, entry or exit of personnel related to distributing propaganda leaflets to North Korea in the dangerous area, preparation, transportation, distribution, and use of related materials such as propaganda leaflets to North Korea are all prohibited.
Violators of the administrative order shall be punished with imprisonment for no more than one year or a fine of no more than 10 million won in accordance with Articles 41 (designation of dangerous areas) and 79 (punishment) of the Disaster and Safety Management Act.