Paju Mayor Kim Kyeongil: "There Must Be Clear Compensation for the Sacrifices of Border Area Residents"

Paju City Attends "Border Area Peace and Security Joint Meeting"
Strengthening Cooperation Between Central Government and Border-Area Local Governments to Build a Peace and Security Safety Net
Proposals for Border-Area Development Including a Peace Economic Special Zone and Basic Income for Security

Paju City in Gyeonggi Province attended the "Border Area Peace and Security Joint Meeting" on the 26th and discussed ways to build a peace and security safety net between the central government and local governments in border areas.

Paju City attended the "Joint Meeting on Peace and Safety in Border Areas" hosted by the Ministry of Unification. Provided by Paju City.

This meeting, hosted by the Ministry of Unification, was a follow-up measure to the announcement on the 18th regarding the unmanned aerial vehicle intrusion, in which the ministry presented its plan to operate a joint meeting to strengthen peace and security in border areas. Participants included the Ministry of Unification, the Council of Mayors and County Governors of Border Areas, as well as officials from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the Ministry of National Defense. They focused on sustainable development measures such as building a safety net that reflects the unique characteristics of border regions and promoting a peace economic special zone.

Paju Mayor Kim Kyeongil said, "Border areas are both the front line of national security and the starting point of peace," adding, "There must be clear compensation for the sacrifices and efforts that residents have endured amid various regulations and security conditions over the years."

He went on to stress, "It is urgent to prepare practical measures, through cooperation with the central government, so that border areas can be transformed from spaces of restriction into spaces of opportunity."

Paju City used this joint meeting as an opportunity to propose measures to improve the quality of life of residents in border areas and to promote sustainable development, including: designation of a peace economic special zone; cooperation for peaceful coexistence in energy through moving the Civilian Control Line northward; hosting the Paju-Gaeseong International Marathon; introduction of a basic income for security in border areas; development of land returned by the U.S. military; and relaxation of regulations on military facilities.