[National Audit] Paju Mayor: "Foxes, Crows, Ghost Sounds, and Loudspeakers... Residents' Frustration and Despair"

National Assembly Public Administration and Security Committee's National Audit Session on Gyeonggi Province

Kim Kyung-il, mayor of Paju City in Gyeonggi Province, appeared as a witness at the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee's national audit on Gyeonggi Province held at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Office on the 14th, vividly conveying the situation faced by residents in the border area amid the recent escalation of tensions in inter-Korean relations, drawing attention.

Mayor Kim first stated, "Paju citizens are now engulfed in a fear beyond what you can imagine," adding, "Last Friday, I met with residents of Daeseong-dong who said they cannot live there and requested relocation measures. The sounds of foxes, crows, and ghostly cries torment residents day and night," describing the serious situation.

He continued, "After the balloon attacks carrying anti-North Korean leaflets and waste began in earnest, tourism in the border area took a direct hit, and residents of the border area are suffering silent pain in a tunnel of frustration and despair due to heightened tensions."

He then questioned, "Who should be held responsible for this? Will it be some defectors who distributed the leaflets? Or will it be the government that overlooks and condones their distribution?" He emphasized, "The leaflet distribution must be stopped because it is directly related to the livelihood of Paju citizens."

Furthermore, he asserted, "Peace is the bread for Paju citizens, and citizens can only live if peace is maintained," adding, "North Korean human rights are important, but no one has the right to threaten the lives of Paju citizens."

He also pointed out, "The distribution of anti-North Korean leaflets provides a pretext for balloon attacks carrying waste and loudspeaker assaults (by North Korea)," and criticized, "Acts such as releasing balloons violate the Aviation Act, which is a statutory law."

Mayor Kim concluded, "Paju City and its citizens will exercise their civic rights to actively block the illegal acts of some defectors," and pledged, "We will do our best to ensure that violations of statutory laws face strict legal judgment."

He further advised, "The endless leaflet disputes and escalating tensions harm citizens of both South and North Korea," urging, "We must turn the tide toward peace, cooperation, and the future."

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