Incheon City, Complete Blockade of Anti-North Korea Leaflets... Two Gathering Bans in Ganghwa-gun Expected for Distribution

Ganghwa-gun, Ongjin-gun, Police, and 2 Other Agencies Jointly Respond... Security Strengthened in Seokmodo and More

The June 15 Joint Declaration Implementation South Korea Committee held a press conference on the 12th in front of the National Police Agency, accusing a defector organization of distributing leaflets to North Korea. 2020.6.12
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Amid rising tensions following North Korea's demolition of the inter-Korean joint liaison office, Incheon City and related agencies have decided to take strong measures, including designating two locations within Ganghwa County as prohibited gathering areas, considering residents' anxiety over the distribution of leaflets to North Korea and the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

According to Incheon City on the 17th, the city held a countermeasure meeting with related agencies chaired by Vice Mayor Choi Jang-hyuk the previous day to discuss response plans regarding the distribution of leaflets and rice-filled PET bottles to North Korea.

The meeting was attended by five agencies, including Ganghwa County, Ongjin County, Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency, and the Central Regional Coast Guard, where they agreed to actively respond to the distribution of leaflets and sending of rice PET bottles by North Korean defector civic groups to ensure citizen safety.

First, Incheon City plans to strongly request four organizations scheduled to hold events distributing leaflets and rice PET bottles to refrain from such activities.

The police plan to strengthen security at 14 locations on Seokmodo Island in Ganghwa County where leaflet distribution or sending rice PET bottles to North Korea is possible, in accordance with the Police Officer Execution Act (Prevention of Danger, etc.).

The police and Ganghwa County intend to prevent conflicts between Ganghwa residents blocking paths such as ferry terminals and opposing the distribution of leaflets and rice PET bottles.

Additionally, Incheon City and the Coast Guard will treat PET bottles scattered in the sea as marine debris under the Act on the Management and Reclamation of Public Waters and will conduct simultaneous enforcement and collection efforts.

Incheon City will consider leaflets falling on land as illegal and plans to impose fines and other measures under the Outdoor Advertising Act. The city is also reviewing the possibility of charging event organizers for the costs incurred in waste collection.

Concerns have also been raised that if members of North Korean defector civic groups forcibly proceed with leaflet distribution, COVID-19 could spread in Ganghwa County.

Accordingly, Ganghwa County has decided to designate two locations?Hangpo and Sahadong ferry terminals on Seokmodo Island, where leaflet distribution is highly likely?as prohibited gathering areas under the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act.

Vice Mayor Choi stated, "Considering residents' anxiety over leaflet distribution, the deterioration of inter-Korean relations, and the spread of COVID-19 in the metropolitan area, we strongly request related organizations to refrain from distributing leaflets," adding, "We will cooperate with related agencies to take all possible measures to prevent acts that threaten citizen safety."

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