Missionary Group "Sending Bible Balloons to Buk"… Ministry of Unification "Regrets"

"Investigation Underway, Appropriate Measures Will Be Taken"

A sign at a police checkpoint set up to prevent the distribution of leaflets to North Korea at Imjingak, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do, on the 25th, marking the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War.

The missionary organization "Voice of the Martyrs" claimed on the 25th that it sent four large balloons containing Bibles from Ganghwa Island, Incheon, to North Korea. In response, the Ministry of Unification expressed regret and stated on the 26th that related agencies are verifying the facts.

At a regular briefing held at the Government Seoul Office on the same day, Cho Hye-sil, deputy spokesperson for the Ministry of Unification, was asked about the government's stance on the organization's actions. She said, "The government has announced a policy prohibiting the distribution of leaflets and goods to North Korea and is conducting investigations. We regret the attempt to distribute goods to North Korea."

Deputy spokesperson Cho added, "Currently, related agencies are verifying the facts through closed-circuit television (CCTV) near the site and military surveillance equipment. Voice of the Martyrs is already an organization under investigation, and since the investigation is ongoing, appropriate measures are expected to be taken."

Earlier, on the 23rd, Gyeonggi Province requested investigations by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency and the Northern Gyeonggi Provincial Police Agency into four organizations distributing leaflets to North Korea?Free North Korea Movement Alliance, Voice of the Martyrs, Keunsaem, and Direct Aid Movement for North Korean Compatriots?on charges including fraud and embezzlement.

Meanwhile, Voice of the Martyrs issued a press release on the 26th stating that, according to the Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking of the large balloon launched from Ganghwa Island around 7:25 p.m. the previous day, it traveled north along the Military Demarcation Line and crossed into Cheorwon County, North Korea.

The organization explained that the large balloons were made of environmentally friendly natural rubber and contained helium gas and Bibles inside. They did not disclose the number of Bibles, citing security reasons.

Eric Foley, founding pastor of Voice of the Martyrs Korea, said, "Voice of the Martyrs Korea only sends balloons containing Bibles when the weather conditions guarantee successful delivery. If this is considered a crime, I will gladly accept being treated as a criminal and face punishment."

He added, "The fundamental reason for launching the balloons is to send Bibles to North Korea. I hope people in South Korea understand that these balloons are completely different from the distribution of leaflets to North Korea."

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