Gyeonggi-do 'Detects' Foreign Missionary Violating Administrative Order on North Korea Leaflets

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province has decided to take legal action against foreign missionary B, who was driving a vehicle owned by missionary organization A based in Seoul, on charges of violating an administrative order within a restricted area.

On the 20th, Gyeonggi Province announced that B, who was moving by vehicle carrying two large balloons, two helium gas tanks, and 14 Bibles, was caught by police at Galsan Intersection in Gimpo City around 7:50 PM on the 19th.

The province confirmed the detection from Gimpo Police Station at around 8:30 PM the same day and immediately dispatched the Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police Unit to the scene to verify the incident details.

The special judicial police unit decided to unify the investigation under the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency in cooperation and handed over all enforcement materials in the form of a complaint.

A representative of the special judicial police unit explained, "This measure was taken considering that the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency is currently investigating activities related to the distribution of leaflets to North Korea," adding, "We are strengthening cooperation with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency for a swift and effective investigation."

Missionary organization A was also reported to the Gangwon Provincial Police Agency on suspicion of attempting to release four North Korea-bound balloons containing Bibles in Cheorwon County, Gangwon Province, on the 3rd of this month.

Earlier, on the 22nd of last month, Gyeonggi Province requested investigations by the Northern Gyeonggi Provincial Police Agency and the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency into four organizations, including missionary organization A, for charges such as fraud and embezzlement related to the distribution of leaflets to North Korea.

The province plans to continuously crack down on leaflet distribution activities to North Korea and respond strongly, including arresting offenders caught in the act.

Meanwhile, on the 17th of last month, the province issued a "Restricted Area Designation and Prohibition Order" effective until November 30, setting the entire border areas of five cities and counties including Gimpo City, excluding military bases, as restricted zones.

With the administrative order in effect, entry by persons involved in distributing leaflets to North Korea, as well as preparation, transportation, distribution, and use of related materials within the restricted area, are all prohibited.

Violators of the administrative order will be subject to imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of up to 10 million KRW under Article 41 (Designation of Restricted Areas) and Article 79 (Penalties) of the Framework Act on the Management of Disasters and Safety.

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