Abductee Families’ Group Plans Leaflet Campaign Targeting Pyongyang

Suwon: A group representing families of individuals abducted by North Korea announced plans to fly leaflets into North Korean territory next week in an effort to bring attention to the ongoing abductee issue. The group made this declaration during a press conference held in Suwon, situated south of Seoul. According to Yonhap News Agency, approximately 100,000 leaflets, featuring the names and photographs of abductees, are set to be launched from Paju, a western border city. These leaflets include details about individuals such as Megumi Yokota from Japan and five Korean high school students who were abducted. Choi Seong-ryong, the head of the group, emphasized their commitment to ensuring the leaflets reach downtown Pyongyang to generate awareness and stimulate dialogue over the abductee issue. Choi also stated that the campaign seeks to pressure North Korea into addressing the matter of families separated by the Korean War and to put an end to its ongoing trash balloon campaign against South Korea. He con firmed the inclusion of one-dollar bills with the leaflets and noted that the exact timing and location of the launch would be disclosed later. This planned leaflet campaign follows North Korea's recent launch of approximately 20 balloons carrying trash into South Korea, continuing a pattern of intermittent propaganda efforts that have heightened tensions between the two nations. In response, the Gyeonggi regional government has designated Paju and two other border regions as "danger zones," citing potential security threats to residents and imposing disaster protection measures from October 16 to November 30. Authorities from Gyeonggi, along with military and police forces, are set to discuss joint strategies to counter the leaflet initiative.