Abductees' Group Postpones Leaflet Launch Due to Wind
Conflict Intensifies Amid Public Safety Concerns
Paju City Announces Strong Response
On the morning of the 23rd, the Abductees' Families Association, which had planned to distribute leaflets toward North Korea, postponed the operation to later in the afternoon due to unfavorable wind direction.
On the morning of the 23rd, Choi Sungyong, the representative of the Abductees' Families Association who announced the leaflet distribution toward North Korea, is having a conversation with Kim Sungjoong, the First Deputy Governor of Gyeonggi Province, at Imjingak in Paju, Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Yonhap News
The planned leaflet distribution was intended to send 10,000 leaflets attached to balloons into North Korea in order to confirm the fate of family members abducted to the North. However, because the wind was not blowing northward, the group was unable to launch the leaflets even after 11 a.m.
Accordingly, the organization announced that, as southerly winds were forecast for the afternoon, they would attempt the leaflet launch again in the evening.
Tensions are rising in the Paju area over the planned leaflet distribution toward North Korea.
Civic groups such as the Paju Emergency Action for Peace Crisis argue that distributing leaflets to North Korea increases the risk of military conflict in border areas and threatens the safety of local residents. They are therefore opposing the leaflet launch.
In particular, residents of villages near the Civilian Control Line in Paju have expressed concern that, in addition to the instability already caused by North Korean propaganda broadcasts, the leaflet distribution could provoke further threats from North Korea. On the morning of the 23rd, these residents gathered at the site with about ten tractors in an attempt to block the leaflet launch.
Paju City has also strongly opposed the leaflet distribution, calling for its immediate cessation.
Paju City stated, "Distributing leaflets to North Korea is an act of terror disguised as freedom of expression," making it clear that the city will respond with zero tolerance to any actions that threaten the safety of its citizens. The city also announced that it would take all possible administrative and legal measures to prevent such activities, warning of immediate removal and strong action against any illegal attempts to distribute leaflets.
On the morning of the 23rd, residents of Tongilchon village near the Civilian Control Line in Imjingak, Paju, Gyeonggi Province, held a tractor protest against the North Korea leaflet distribution attempt by the Abductees' Families Association. Photo by Yonhap News
The Northern Gyeonggi Provincial Police Agency, concerned about possible clashes, deployed four riot police units to the site. The police set up vehicle barricades and barriers to separate the Abductees' Families Association from opposing residents and are preparing for any contingencies. Gyeonggi Province also announced plans to deploy special judicial police to prevent further leaflet launches if necessary. Paju City stated that it will prioritize the safety of its citizens and closely monitor the situation.
This incident has evolved beyond a simple leaflet distribution, emerging as a significant issue concerning both the safety of local residents and national security.
With concerns about the possibility that the leaflets could provoke a military response from North Korea on one hand, and calls to respect freedom of expression on the other, the conflict is unlikely to be resolved easily.
Paju City is seeking ways to resolve the situation peacefully, giving top priority to the impact of the leaflet distribution on the safety and lives of its residents.
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