New Delhi: Starting Tuesday night, the South Korean military noticed a surge of large amounts of balloons arriving from the North. By Wednesday morning, over 150 balloons had been detected, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). Photographs released by the JCS show plastic bags attached to two large balloons, some of which had burst, spilling scraps of plastic, paper, and what appears to be poop onto South Korean roads and sidewalks.Analysis and response by South Korean authoritiesThe balloons contents, described as filth and garbage, are currently being analyzed by South Korean government agencies. The JCS stated that the South Korean military is working in cooperation with the United Nations Command to address the issue. North Koreas actions clearly violate international law and seriously threaten the safety of our citizens, the JCS emphasized. All responsibility arising from the North Korean balloons lies entirely with North Korea, and we sternly warn North Korea to immediately stop its inhumane and low-level actions.In a parallel world North Korea sent 150 Balloons filled with Garbage and manure to South Korea 🇰🇷⚡🇰🇵The balloons fell overnight in various locations across the country.North Korea being North Korea pic.twitter.com/EX68dXlOh1— Vivek Singh (@VivekSi85847001) May 29, 2024Public warnings and safety measuresLocal governments in the northern Gyeonggi and Gangwon provinces have issued warnings to residents about the unidentified objects, advising against outdoor activities. The JCS highlighted that the packages pose risks to residential areas, airports, and highways.North Koreas justification for the actionsAccording to North Korean state media KCNA, this action is a retaliation against South Korean activists who frequently send materials such as propaganda leaflets, food, medicine, radios, and USB sticks with South Korean news and TV dramas into North Korea. These items are forbidden in the reclusive state. Despite a 2020 ban by South Koreas parliament on such activities, campaigners, including North Korean defectors, continue to send these materials via balloons, drones, and bottles floated across the cross-border river.North Korea sent more than 150 balloons with garbage to South Korea - YonhapInside the bags tied to the balloons were plastic bottles, batteries, shoe parts and even manure.North Korea has previously said it intends to scatter mountains of waste paper and dirt in border… pic.twitter.com/X3HqAXn2xb— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) May 29, 2024North Koreas stance on the issueKim Kang Il, North Koreas Vice Minister of National Defense, labeled the leaflet scattering as a dangerous provocation with potential military implications. He accused South Korea of conducting psychological warfare by dispersing various dirty things near the border, asserting that North Korea would respond with tit for tat action. He further warned, Mounds of wastepaper and filth will soon be scattered over the border areas and the interior of South Korea, and it will directly experience how much effort is required to remove them. When our national sovereignty, security, and interests are violated, we will take action immediately.Koreas balloon warfareThe use of balloons for cross-border provocations is not new. South Korean activists have previously used balloons to send materials into North Korea, and now North Korea has reciprocated with this unusual and unsanitary tactic, further escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
