Mayor Kim Kyungil: "Suspension of Leaflet Distribution to North Korea... Urges Other Groups to Join"

Paju City and Abductees' Family Association Reach Agreement to Suspend Leaflet Distribution to North Korea
Mayor Kim Kyungil: "The Decision by the Abductees' Family Association Is Welcomed by All 530,000 Citizens"

On July 8, the city of Paju in Gyeonggi Province and the Korean War Abductees' Family Association held a press conference at Imjingak in Paju, officially declaring a complete suspension of leaflet distribution to North Korea. This announcement comes approximately nine months after leaflet distribution was resumed in 2023.

Kim Kyungil, mayor of Paju City (center), and Choi Sungyong, representative of the Abductees' Family Association, along with others, are holding hands and posing for a commemorative photo after concluding the "Paju City-Abductees' Family Association Official Joint Press Conference Declaring the Suspension of Leaflet Distribution to North Korea" held on the 8th at Imjingak in Paju City, Gyeonggi Province. Provided by Paju City

The press conference was attended by key officials from Paju, including Mayor Kim Kyungil and National Assembly member Yoon Ho-deok.

At the event, Choi Sungyong, chairman of the Abductees' Family Association, stated, "I promise Mayor Kim Kyungil, National Assembly member Yoon Ho-deok, and all the people of Korea that, as of today, we will completely stop sending newsletters about our abducted family members."

He also said, "I have spoken with other organizations that send leaflets to North Korea," and added, "I hope they will join us in suspending leaflet distribution so that President Lee Jaemyung can swiftly pursue an inter-Korean summit or dialogue."

Mayor Kim Kyungil commented, "The decision to suspend leaflet distribution is welcomed by all 530,000 residents of Paju. I am grateful for your participation in ensuring the safety of not only Paju citizens but also all Koreans, and for contributing to the formation of a peaceful atmosphere between North and South Korea. At a time when all Paju citizens are anxious, fearing that this rare opportunity for peace could be shattered by even a small spark, I cannot express enough how fortunate it is that you have officially declared the suspension of leaflet distribution."

Mayor Kim went on to say, "I urge other organizations engaged in leaflet distribution to join the Abductees' Family Association in this decision, so that the peace and stability recently established in the border region can be maintained permanently. Peace is the right path, and peace is the answer," he added.

Mayor Kim also emphasized, "Looking ahead, I will continue to focus solely on our citizens and do my utmost to make Paju a safer and more livable city, so that everyone can enjoy a peaceful daily life."

National Assembly member Yoon Ho-deok stated, "The declaration to suspend leaflet distribution is a meaningful signal of change that will help ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula. The decision by the families of abductees to choose dialogue over conflict will serve as a valuable opportunity to restore trust between North and South Korea."

Meanwhile, Paju City and the Abductees' Family Association plan to continue institutional and diplomatic efforts in cooperation with the government to urge the repatriation of abductees. At the same time, they have agreed to prioritize the lives and safety of residents in the border region and to jointly seek new ways to achieve 'peaceful resolution of issues.'