Gyeonggi Province blocks leaflet distribution at source...designates some border areas as 'dangerous zones'

[Suwon Ilbo = Reporter Park No-hun] Gyeonggi Province has defined anti-North Korean leaflet distribution as an act that threatens the lives and safety of provincial residents and will designate border areas within Gimpo, Goyang, Paju, and Yeoncheon as dangerous zones, while prohibiting anti-North Korean leaflet distributors from entering these areas.

Additionally, leaflets scattered through the air will be subject to fines under the Outdoor Advertising Act, and plastic bottles containing anti-North Korean leaflets or rice scattered in the sea will be treated as waste and subject to strong crackdowns and referrals for prosecution under the Waste Management Act and Marine Environment Management Act.

Deputy Governor Lee Jae-gang of Gyeonggi Province held an emergency press conference at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government on the 12th and stated, "Gyeonggi Province judges that the act of distributing anti-North Korean leaflets goes beyond simple expression of opinion and is a reckless crisis-creating act that provokes military conflicts," and announced Gyeonggi Province's stance and countermeasures on illegal anti-North Korean leaflet distribution.

The Deputy Governor stated, "Gyeonggi Province experienced the Yeoncheon County artillery barrage incident caused by anti-North Korean leaflet distribution in 2014," and added, "The province intends to mobilize all available administrative resources to ensure such dangerous situations do not recur. The province will take all necessary measures to ensure that anti-North Korean leaflet distribution activities do not occur in Gyeonggi Province."

Gyeonggi Province's three countermeasures against anti-North Korean leaflet distribution include: ▲designating certain border areas as dangerous zones and prohibiting leaflet distributors from entering ▲preventing and blocking illegal preparatory acts such as vehicle movement and gas injection before distribution ▲implementing strong measures including crackdowns, investigations, and referrals through the Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police.

First, the province will treat anti-North Korean leaflet distribution as an act threatening the lives of provincial residents, designate certain border areas as dangerous zones, and prohibit anti-North Korean leaflet distributors from entering these areas.

The current "Disaster and Safety Management Basic Act" Articles 41 (designation of dangerous zones), 43 (traffic restrictions, etc.), and 46 (emergency measures implemented by mayors/governors) allow provincial governors to designate dangerous zones and issue traffic restrictions and other emergency measures when deemed necessary to protect the lives and safety of residents.

The province plans to designate border areas including Gimpo, Goyang, Paju, and Yeoncheon as dangerous zones, and is currently conducting investigations by city and county. The province plans to block access to dangerous zones at the source with police cooperation, and in case of attempted entry, will take strong measures including investigations through the Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police and filing charges.

Second, anti-North Korean leaflets distributed without prior notification will be treated as illegal advertisements and subject to fines under the Outdoor Advertising Act.

Through joint inspections with seven border cities and counties including Gimpo, Goyang, Paju, Yeoncheon, Dongducheon, Yangju, and Pocheon, the province plans to immediately impose fines on already collected anti-North Korean leaflets and continue imposing fines on future cases.

Additionally, leaflets scattered through the air that fall to the ground will be treated as waste, and under the "Waste Management Act," scattering will be prohibited at the source, and in case of distribution, recipients will bear cleanup costs and restoration expenses.

Third, to prevent recurrence of provincial residents' safety being threatened by anti-North Korean leaflet distribution, the province will conduct strong crackdowns and investigations using the Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police.

Accordingly, the province will treat plastic bottles containing anti-North Korean leaflets or rice scattered in the sea as waste under the "Waste Management Act" and apply the "Act on the Management and Reclamation of Public Waters" to directly conduct crackdowns, investigations, and referrals for prosecution. Additionally, this will be viewed as an act of pollution discharge and subject to crackdowns, investigations, and referral for prosecution under the Marine Environment Management Act.

Furthermore, individuals transporting high-pressure gas for anti-North Korean leaflet distribution without proper registration will face suspension of operations and immediate referral for prosecution under the "High-Pressure Gas Safety Management Act."

Deputy Governor Lee stated, "Gyeonggi Province, which borders the Demilitarized Zone, opposes any acts that impede a new era of peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula," and added, "We hope that instead of vicious leaflets of criticism, Gyeonggi Province will be filled with the flowers of peace nurtured by reconciliation and cooperation."