North Korea sends hundreds of trash balloons across border
6:46 AM EDT, June 9, 2024
North Korea has sent balloons filled with trash bags to South Korea. Around 330 such balloons crossed the border from Saturday to Sunday morning, according to the South Korean army, which issued special recommendations to the citizens.
More than 80 balloons fell on South Korean territory. According to initial findings, there were no dangerous substances in them—the bags mainly contained waste paper and plastic.
Nevertheless, the South Korean military advised its citizens not to touch these objects.
North Korea responds to South Korea, sent trash balloons again
These actions are a response to the actions of South Korean activist groups, who send balloons with anti-regime leaflets to the North. In reaction, Pyongyang has sent over a thousand balloons with waste and manure across the border since the end of May.
Pyongyang on sending back trash: "There will be 100 times more"
A week ago, North Korea's Vice Minister of Defense Kim Kang Il announced the halting of "retaliatory actions" for the distribution of leaflets targeting the government in Pyongyang. However, he threatened that if Seoul resumes dropping propaganda leaflets, Pyongyang will send back "trash in a quantity 100 times greater."
On the night of Wednesday to Thursday, South Korean activists sent 10 balloons with leaflets to the North.
Current relations between the Koreas are considered the worst in decades. North and South Korea have been technically at war for over 70 years since the armed conflict that took place from 1950-1953 ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty.
In late December last year, the leader of the DPRK, Kim Jong Un, ordered an acceleration of preparations for "a war that could start at any moment". He condemned the "persistent and uncontrollable crisis," which, in his opinion, was caused by Seoul and Washington during their joint military exercises in the region.
