Families of Abductees Association Conducts Surprise Leaflet Launch Toward North Korea at Imjingak

The Families of Abductees Association, led by Choi Seongryong, conducted a surprise launch of leaflets toward North Korea near Imjingak in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, in the early morning hours of April 27.

Families of abductees distributing flyers. Photo by Yonhap News

Around 12:20 a.m. that day, Choi Seongryong and five other members released eight leaflets toward the North from behind the fence at Pyeonghwa Land in Munsan-eup, Imjingak. They originally prepared ten balloons, but explained that due to a shortage of helium gas, they were only able to launch eight.

The released leaflets were bundled in plastic and included a newsletter with photos and descriptions of seven abductees, as well as an image digitally altered to show North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un in prison. At the time, a southwesterly wind was blowing at the site, and it was reported that the balloons moved toward the North.

In a statement released alongside the leaflet launch, the Families of Abductees Association said, "At the last rally, opposing groups told citizens sending newsletters to 'go to North Korea,' but even if they cannot participate in the event, they should refrain from criticism." The group added, "Our families suffered in the past due to government authority and guilt by association, and we must fulfill the wishes of the abductees' families."

Meanwhile, an official from Paju City stated, "Because the wind direction at the time of the leaflet launch was not toward North Korea, it is possible that the leaflets moved to areas such as Dongducheon instead."

No government officials, including the Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police, Paju City Hall, or the police, were dispatched to the scene except for members of the Families of Abductees Association, so no physical clashes occurred.

Since October of last year, Gyeonggi Province has designated the three border cities and counties of Paju, Yeoncheon, and Gimpo as disaster safety law risk zones, and has deployed the Special Judicial Police to monitor and crack down on leaflet launches toward North Korea around the clock.