Paju Mayor "Residents Express Anxiety... North Korea Leaflet Distribution Must Stop"

Ombul Balloons and North Korea Leaflets Increase Anxiety Among Paju Citizens
"Active Regulation and Persuasion by the Central Government Needed"

Kim Kyung-il, mayor of Paju City, demanded active government measures as the citizens of Paju are greatly anxious due to North Korea's filth balloons and the distribution of leaflets by defector groups.

On the 24th, Mayor Kim appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' and said, "The central government holds all the real power," adding, "I hope they actively step up by regulating where necessary and persuading where needed."

Kim Kyung-il, Mayor of Paju City, is holding a press conference on North Korean leaflets and trash balloons at the National Assembly on the 20th. Photo by Yonhap News

Mayor Kim reported that the prolonged tit-for-tat between North Korea's filth balloon provocations and the leaflet distribution by defector groups has caused significant anxiety among residents. He said, "When I go out to the northern Paju area, elderly people hold my hand and say, 'We can't live in fear; please stop the leaflet distribution,'" adding, "The military agreement between the South and North has been broken, and military tensions have escalated. Correspondingly, the sense of anxiety among Paju citizens continues to rise."

Earlier, Mayor Kim had a direct confrontation with a defector group attempting to distribute leaflets to North Korea. Around 10 p.m. on the 20th, after receiving a report of leaflet distribution near the Nambuk Central Church in Yeongtaeri, Wollong-myeon, Paju City, he went to the scene and demanded an immediate halt to the leaflet distribution. During this process, the defector group reportedly made rough remarks such as "We'll beat you up."

In response, Paju City judged that the situation could not be resolved through dialogue and persuasion and announced that it would actively consider designating the entire Paju area as a danger zone under the 'Framework Act on the Management of Disasters and Safety' and prohibit the entry of leaflet distributors to prevent leaflet distribution.

Mayor Kim said, "If a danger zone is designated under the Disaster and Safety Framework Act, an immediate eviction order can be issued," adding, "If there is noncompliance, we plan to mobilize judicial police and administrative power from Gyeonggi Province to forcibly evict."

Furthermore, Mayor Kim stated that joint responses with neighboring border areas near Paju City are also being considered. He said, "So far, we have not consulted with heads of local governments in border areas, but I think consultation and cooperation will be necessary going forward," adding, "We have declared danger zones with Gyeonggi Province and are continuing legal reviews such as those related to the Aviation Act. We will work together to respond well."

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