Choi Sung-yong, head of a family association of victims abducted by North Korea, speaks to officials trying to stop him from sending balloons carrying photos of some of the abductees and anti-regime leaflets across the inter-Korean border, in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

Attempts by human rights activists to send leaflets critical of the North Korean regime across the inter-Korean border were thwarted, Thursday, by hundreds of residents and local officials who feared retaliatory actions from Pyongyang.

Led by Choi Sung-yong, head of an association for families of victims abducted by North Korea, the activists planned to launch balloons carrying pictures of six abductees along with a written statement calling for their release, as well as U.S. dollars, in the border city of Paju at 11 a.m.

However, when confronted by residents, police, and local authorities who opposed the action vehemently, they were forced to cancel their plan, at least for now.

"I canceled the plan due to threats from police and the Gyeonggi governor (Kim Dong-yeon). But I plan to do it again after today's press conference," Choi told reporters. "Instead of using balloons, we may use drones next time."

He then urged the governor and other political leaders to take a more proactive stance in addressing the issue, saying that they should first condemn the North Korean despot, Kim Jong-un, for committing crimes against humanity before advising the families of the abductees to cease sending leaflets to the North.

This turmoil arose amid escalating tensions near the border. In recent months, North Korea has launched thousands of trash-filled balloons into the South, claiming it was retaliating against anti-regime leaflets sent by human rights activists.

Moreover, since late July, North Korea has used its loudspeakers installed near the border to send ear-splitting sounds ― including noises resembling scraping metal and animals howling ― in an apparent attempt to disrupt the lives of South Koreans living near the border.

Residents living near the inter-Korean border protest against an attempt by activists to send anti-regime leaflets into North Korea amid fears of retaliation, in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

Early in the morning, many residents in that area mobilized their tractors to block paths leading to a site where the balloon launch had been planned.

They also held a protest nearby, holding signs with messages such as, "We can't live because of noise from North Korea" and "Stop sending anti-North Korea leaflets that threaten the lives of border residents."

In support of the residents, Paju Mayor Kim Kyung-il of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea visited the site, along with several lawmakers of his party, and called on the activists to stop sending anti-regime leaflets across the border.

"Those who intend to send anti-North Korea leaflets are prohibited from entering the city of Paju, one high-risk area under the law on the management of disasters and safety," Kim said. "It is important to protect the human rights of residents in North Korea and to bring back those abductees. But to justify the goal, the means of achieving it should also be justifiable."

With tensions intensifying over balloons crossing the inter-Korean border and North Korea's recent decision to send troops to Russia to support its war effort in Ukraine, Park Yong-chul, head of the county office governing Ganghwa and more than 10 other islands near the border, issued an administrative order the same day to ban balloon launches starting Friday.

"Based on communication with residents, we are reviewing all options to resolve the issue," Park said. "We will try our best to restore (confidence in) safety and normalcy."