Gyeonggi Province to Strictly Punish Anti-North Korea Leaflet Distribution and Ban Related Items

The Gyeonggi Provincial Government has announced a complete ban on bringing in items related to the distribution of anti-North Korea leaflets, and has decided to strictly punish anyone who proceeds with distributing such leaflets.

On June 18, Gyeonggi Provincial Government spokesperson Kang Minseok stated in a written briefing that, in accordance with the current "administrative order," the province will prevent the distribution of anti-North Korea leaflets through intensive patrols and surveillance activities in high-risk areas such as Paju.

The province also announced that it will prohibit bringing in items related to anti-North Korea leaflets within high-risk zones, and will punish anyone who pushes ahead with leaflet distribution. In addition, Gyeonggi Provincial Government will monitor the activities of organizations involved in distributing anti-North Korea leaflets, track wind directions by the hour, and strengthen patrols along border areas to prevent surprise leaflet distributions. The province added that these efforts will continue indefinitely until the administrative order is lifted.

Gyeonggi Provincial Government

Previously, the Abductee Family Union filed a rally notice stating that they plan to distribute anti-North Korea leaflets at Imjingak in Paju from June 14 to July 10.

The Gyeonggi Provincial Government believes that if anti-North Korea leaflets are distributed during the rally, it would pose a serious threat to the safety and peace of residents in the border areas.

Meanwhile, Governor Kim Dongyeon issued an administrative order on October 16, 2024, designating Paju, Yeoncheon, and Gimpo as high-risk zones based on the Framework Act on the Management of Disasters and Safety, amid the Yoon Suk-yeol administration's de facto acquiescence and condoning of anti-North Korea leaflet distribution. Since then, Gyeonggi Provincial Government, together with the provincial special judicial police, local governments, police, and military units, has made an all-out effort to block the distribution of anti-North Korea leaflets.