North Korea has launched hundreds of balloons carrying trash towards South Korea in retaliation for activists flying anti-North Korean leaflets across the border. The balloons carried various items such as cigarette butts, scraps of cloth, waste paper, and vinyl, but no dangerous substances were included. South Korea’s military advised people to be cautious of falling objects and not to touch objects suspected to be from North Korea. There have been no reported injuries or damage due to the balloon launches. The North’s recent provocative actions also include a failed spy satellite launch and a series of short-range missile launches.
South Korea’s military dispatched teams to recover debris from the North Korean balloons found in various parts of the country. The balloons carried trash and manure, but no dangerous substances were present. Some of the balloons were found with timers, indicating they were designed to release trash midair. North Korea’s powerful sister, Kim Yo Jong, confirmed the country’s intention to send balloons as a response to leafleting campaigns by South Korean activists. She stated that the North would continue to scatter trash in South Korea in retaliation.
South Korea’s Unification Ministry warned North Korea to stop its provocations, including missile launches and balloon campaigns, or face “unbearable” consequences. Despite the provocations, South Korea’s military has no plans to shoot down the balloons, citing concerns about potential damage or retaliation from the North. The decision was made to allow the balloons to drop and recover them safely. North Korea is highly sensitive to attempts to undermine Kim Jong Un’s control over the country’s population, which has limited access to foreign news.
In the past, North Korea has responded aggressively to leafleting campaigns, such as blowing up a South Korean-built liaison office in 2020 and firing at propaganda balloons in 2014. The country has also made dubious claims, such as suggesting that balloons flown from South Korea caused a COVID-19 outbreak in North Korea in 2022. These incidents highlight the tense relationship between North and South Korea, with both sides engaging in provocative actions and retaliations. The situation remains volatile, with the potential for further escalation.
