Mission Group Sends Large Balloon Containing Bible Toward North Korea... Police Announce "Strict Investigation"

Voice of the Martyrs, "4 Fired on the 25th Afternoon in Ganghwado"
Police Express Regret, "Threat to Border Area Residents"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] The police have announced a strict investigation stance regarding the claim by the domestic missionary organization "Voice of the Martyrs" that they sent large balloons containing Bibles to North Korea.

On the 26th, the National Police Agency stated, "We regret that such a situation occurred amid a serious situation where the safety of border residents is threatened," and added, "We plan to conduct a strict investigation after fact-finding regarding the related matter."

The organization released a press statement on the same day, claiming that at around 7:25 p.m. the previous day, they sent four balloons containing Bibles from Ganghwa Island, Incheon, to North Korea. The group also added that after confirming the balloon locations via the Global Positioning System (GPS), the balloons traveled north along the Military Demarcation Line and crossed into the Cheorwon County area of North Korea.

The organization explained that the large balloons were made of environmentally friendly natural rubber and contained helium gas and Bibles inside. However, they did not disclose how many Bibles were included.

Eric Foley, founding pastor of Voice of the Martyrs Korea, said, "Voice of the Martyrs Korea sends only Bibles in balloons when the weather conditions guarantee successful balloon launches," and added, "If this is considered a crime, I will gladly accept being treated as a criminal and face punishment." He also stated, "The fundamental reason for launching the balloons is to send Bibles to North Korea," and expressed hope that "people in South Korea understand that these balloons are completely different from the distribution of anti-North Korea leaflets."

The police have repeatedly stated that they will strongly investigate acts such as the distribution of anti-North Korea leaflets. On the morning of the same day, they also conducted a search and seizure targeting Park Sang-hak, head of the Free North Korea Movement Alliance, who recently distributed leaflets in Paju, Gyeonggi Province.