Gyeonggi-do Protects Residents from North Korea's Filth Balloons and Loudspeakers Targeting South Korea

Operation of Situation Room for Waste Balloon Preparedness... 19 Cases of Damage, 76.56 Million Won Support
Danger Zones Set in Paju, Yeoncheon, Gimpo to Prevent North Korean Leaflet Distribution
Support for Residents Affected by Loudspeaker Noise Including Soundproofing and Medical Services

Since the end of May, various damages have occurred across Gyeonggi Province due to filth balloons sent by North Korea. In addition, numerous residents in border areas have suffered from noise damage caused by loudspeaker broadcasts directed at the South.

Gyeonggi Province prioritized the safety of its residents and prepared various support measures to manage the situation and protect the residents' right to live and peace.

Response to North Korean Filth Balloons and Loudspeaker Noise Damage. Provided by Gyeonggi Province

◇ 76.56 million KRW support for 19 cases of filth balloon damage

In preparation for the emergency situation caused by North Korea’s filth balloons, Gyeonggi Province established and operated the ‘Gyeonggi Province Emergency Response Situation Room’ for one month starting June 2. The situation room coordinated real-time responses such as collection and monitoring in cooperation with the Capital Corps, 1st Corps, 5th Corps, Gyeonggi Southern Police Agency, Gyeonggi Northern Police Agency, Gyeonggi Fire and Disaster Headquarters, and Gyeonggi Northern Fire and Disaster Headquarters.

The reported property damages caused by the filth balloons included vehicle damage, house roof damage, vinyl greenhouse damage, factory fires, and bodily injuries, totaling 19 cases amounting to 76.56 million KRW. The province completed all compensation payments from August through the end of November.

◇ Danger zones designated and indefinitely extended to prevent leaflet distribution to North Korea

As damages to residents continued due to North Korea’s filth balloons in response to leaflet distribution by civilian groups, Gyeonggi Province designated Paju City, Yeoncheon County, and Gimpo City as danger zones on October 16 to prevent leaflet distribution activities.

This measure was taken considering the survival rights and safety of residents in border areas. Approximately 120 personnel, including the Gyeonggi Special Judicial Police, city and county officials, and police officers, patrol daily in the danger zones, establishing a 24-hour on-call response system.

From May 28 until the danger zones were designated, North Korea sent about 6,600 filth balloons in 28 instances, but after the designation, only about 90 balloons were sent in 3 instances. Accordingly, the province extended the danger zone designation period indefinitely, which was initially set to expire on November 30, to ensure residents’ safety.

Additionally, before the danger zone designation, Gyeonggi Province requested police investigations into two civilian groups distributing leaflets to North Korea on charges of violating the ‘Aviation Safety Act.’ Following the investigations, both groups were indicted by the prosecution on November 2.

At the end of October, when the Families of Abductees to North Korea announced plans to distribute leaflets, Governor Kim Dong-yeon, who was on a visit to the Netherlands, chaired an emergency video conference early on October 31.

Governor Kim gave special instructions to △ prioritize residents’ safety amid rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula as the top administrative goal △ establish an emergency response system △ build an organic cooperation system among related agencies including the Gyeonggi Special Judicial Police, Paju City Hall, police, and fire departments △ strengthen patrols in areas other than Paju where leaflet distribution to North Korea might occur.

◇ Support for residents including installation of soundproof windows in 46 households affected by loudspeaker noise

In border areas, the noise from North Korea’s loudspeakers directed at the South has continued for months, causing severe distress among residents. The noise, including animal sounds, ghostly sounds, and sirens, day and night, has threatened residents’ health with sleep disorders, stress, and anxiety symptoms.

On October 23, Governor Kim Dong-yeon held an emergency on-site meeting with residents affected by loudspeaker noise at Camp Greaves in Paju, listening to the voices of residents from Daeseong-dong Village.

At the meeting, Governor Kim immediately ordered △ installation of soundproof facilities in Daeseong-dong Village △ immediate deployment of two health checkup vehicles and ‘Mind Relief Buses’ (for trauma screening and treatment) △ provision of rest areas and temporary accommodations for residents.

Governor Kim comforted the suffering residents and urged, “Do not delay; start construction tomorrow if possible and complete it in the shortest time.”

Subsequently, Gyeonggi Province completed measurements and designs for window installations in 46 households in Daeseong-dong Village to reduce loudspeaker noise and began on-site construction earlier this month, completing 15 households. The province plans to finish all construction promptly before the 27th.

Alongside this, to promote psychological stability and healing from hearing loss, four rest areas were established within Camp Greaves starting October 24, and health checkup vehicles and Mind Relief Buses were deployed to provide medical services such as psychological counseling and hearing tests to 252 people.

For temporary accommodation support, 24 rooms were rented at the Gyeonggi Future Education Paju Campus starting October 24, and 286 people have used the facility so far. Residents of Daeseong-dong Village who stayed in the temporary accommodations expressed their gratitude, saying they are regaining stability thanks to Gyeonggi Province’s support.

The province plans to continue regular situation checks to reduce residents’ damages and seek ways to maintain peace.

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