North Korea has heightened tensions with South Korea by launching hundreds of trash-carrying balloons towards the South, following a similar campaign just days prior. Pyongyang claims this action is retaliation for South Korean activists flying anti-North Korean leaflets across the border. These balloons, containing items such as cigarette butts and waste paper, were discovered across various parts of South Korea over the weekend, prompting concerns about falling debris.
The South Korean military reported approximately 600 balloons launched from North Korea between Saturday night and Sunday morning. While the debris contained no dangerous substances, the military advised caution and urged people not to touch suspected objects but to report them instead. Seoul’s city government issued alerts after detecting unidentified objects near the city’s skies, with military responses underway. This recent provocation adds to North Korea’s series of aggressive actions, including failed satellite launches and missile tests aimed at demonstrating preemptive attack capabilities. South Korea’s military responded by dispatching rapid response and clearance teams to recover debris from over 260 North Korean balloons found earlier in the week. In a statement, Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, confirmed the balloon launches as a response to South Korean leafleting campaigns. She hinted at future balloon launches, vowing to scatter rubbish as retaliation. South Korea’s Unification Ministry warned of “unbearable” consequences if North Korea continues such provocations.
South Korea refrained from shooting down the balloons to avoid further escalation, citing concerns of causing damage or triggering retaliation. This incident underscores North Korea’s sensitivity to external attempts to undermine its leadership and control. Past actions, such as blowing up a South Korean liaison office in 2020, demonstrate North Korea’s willingness to escalate tensions in response to perceived provocations. Despite diplomatic efforts, the situation remains volatile, with both sides on high alert amid ongoing hostilities.
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