Gyeonggi-do Arrests Suspect for Leaflet Distribution to North Korea 'Caught in the Act' (Comprehensive)

Lee Jae-gang, Vice Governor for Peace of Gyeonggi Province, has stated that he will take strong measures, including arresting offenders in the act, against the distribution of leaflets in the border areas.

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province will designate border areas as "danger zones" to ban the distribution of leaflets aimed at North Korea. Additionally, those who distribute leaflets threatening the lives of residents will be banned from entering these areas, and the province's Special Judicial Police Unit will be deployed to arrest offenders on the spot.

Furthermore, leaflets distributed from the air will be fined under the Outdoor Advertising Act, and PET bottles containing North Korea-directed leaflets dumped into the ocean will be considered waste. Strong enforcement and prosecution will be carried out under the Waste Management Act and the Marine Environment Management Act.

On the 12th, Lee Jae-gang, Deputy Governor for Peace of Gyeonggi Province, held an emergency press conference at the provincial office and stated, "Gyeonggi Province judges that the act of distributing leaflets to North Korea is a dangerously provocative act that goes beyond mere expression of opinion and can trigger military conflict." He announced the province's stance and response plan regarding illegal leaflet distribution to North Korea.

The Deputy Governor said, "Gyeonggi Province experienced the Yeoncheon County shelling incident in 2014 caused by leaflet distribution to North Korea," adding, "The province intends to mobilize all administrative power to prevent such dangerous situations from recurring. At the very least, we will take all possible measures to ensure that leaflet distribution to North Korea does not occur within Gyeonggi Province."

The leaflet distribution ban measures announced by the province include three main points: ▲ designation of danger zones in some border areas and banning leaflet distributors from entering ▲ prevention of preparatory acts such as vehicle movement and gas injection before leaflet distribution and preemptive blocking of illegal acts ▲ strong enforcement measures including crackdowns, investigations, and prosecutions by the Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police Unit.

The province first considers leaflet distribution to North Korea as an act threatening residents' lives and will designate some border areas as danger zones, banning leaflet distributors from entering these areas.

Under the current "Framework Act on the Management of Disasters and Safety" (Article 41 on designation of danger zones, Article 43 on traffic restrictions, Article 46 on emergency measures by city/provincial governors), city and provincial governors can order designation of danger zones and traffic restrictions as emergency measures if deemed necessary to protect residents' lives and safety.

The province plans to designate border areas including Gimpo, Goyang, Paju, and Yeoncheon as danger zones. To this end, the relevant cities and counties are currently under investigation. The province will block entry to these danger zones with police cooperation and will take strong measures such as investigation and booking through the Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police Unit if entry is attempted.

In particular, leaflets distributed without prior notification will be considered illegal advertisements, and fines will be imposed under the Outdoor Advertising Act.

Through joint inspections with seven border cities and counties including Gimpo, Goyang, Paju, Yeoncheon, Dongducheon, Yangju, and Pocheon, the province will immediately impose fines on already collected leaflets and will continue to impose fines on future cases.

Also, leaflets dropped on the ground after aerial distribution will be considered waste, and distribution will be banned under the Waste Management Act. If distribution occurs, waste collection and restoration costs will be imposed.

The province will conduct strong crackdowns and investigations using the Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police Unit to prevent any recurrence of threats to residents' safety caused by leaflet distribution.

If PET bottles containing leaflets or rice are dumped into the ocean, they will be considered waste under the Waste Management Act and subject to direct enforcement and prosecution under the Act on the Management and Reclamation of Public Waters. Additionally, this will be treated as pollutant discharge, and enforcement and prosecution will be carried out under the Marine Environment Management Act.

Moreover, if a person transporting high-pressure gas for leaflet distribution is unregistered, they will be subject to suspension of operation and immediate prosecution under the High-Pressure Gas Safety Control Act.

Deputy Governor Lee emphasized, "Gyeonggi Province, which embraces the Demilitarized Zone and border areas, opposes any acts that block a new era of peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula," adding, "We hope that instead of hostile leaflets, flowers of peace nurtured by reconciliation and cooperation will bloom brightly in Gyeonggi Province."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.