Gyeonggi Province Designates Border “Danger Zones” to Halt Anti-North Korea Leaflet Campaigns

GYEONGGI: In a significant move to curb the sending of anti-North Korea propaganda across the border, the government of Gyeonggi Province has designated 11 areas along the inter-Korean border as "danger zones". This decision comes in response to escalated tensions following recent hostile actions by North Korea, including the destruction of roads connecting to South Korea. According to Yonhap News Agency, the newly designated danger zones are located in the border towns of Paju, Gimpo, and Yeoncheon. Kim Sung-joong, the vice governor of Gyeonggi Province, announced the measure during a media briefing, emphasizing that the primary goal is to safeguard the lives and safety of residents in these areas amidst worsening relations between the two Koreas. The tensions have risen over accusations from North Korea of South Korean drones dispersing anti-Pyongyang leaflets over its capital, alongside reciprocal actions from the North, which include sending balloons filled with trash into the South. The Gyeonggi provin cial government's response includes the ability to enforce administrative orders that prevent individuals from entering these zones with the intention of launching propaganda materials. Furthermore, police are authorized to arrest anyone who violates these orders. This measure reflects the ongoing complexity and volatility of relations on the Korean Peninsula, underscoring the challenges faced by local governments in managing cross-border propaganda activities while striving to maintain regional security.