KATHMANDU: North Korea has deployed around 150 balloons carrying refuse into South Korea, prompting authorities to issue warnings for residents to stay indoors. South Korea's military cautioned against touching the white balloons and plastic bags attached to them due to the presence of "filthy waste and trash". The balloons have been discovered in eight out of nine provinces in South Korea and are currently under analysis.
The use of balloons for propaganda has been a common tactic employed by both North and South Korea since the Korean War in the 1950s. South Korea's military is investigating whether the balloons contained North Korean propaganda leaflets. This incident follows North Korea's threat of retaliation against what it perceives as the frequent scattering of leaflets and rubbish in border areas by activists from the South.
Residents north of Seoul and those in border regions received text messages urging them to avoid outdoor activities and report any unidentified objects to the authorities. Photographs shared on social media show balloons carrying various contents, including toilet paper, soil, and batteries. Some balloons were found to contain feces, according to reports.
South Korea's military condemned the act as a violation of international law, emphasizing its threat to public safety. Activists in South Korea have previously launched balloons carrying items such as cash, banned media content, and snacks like Choco Pies into North Korea. However, Seoul passed a law in 2020 criminalizing the launch of anti-Pyongyang leaflets, raising concerns about freedom of speech.
North Korea has also used balloons to launch attacks against South Korea, including one incident in 2016 where balloons allegedly carried hazardous substances targeting Seoul's leaders. Despite tensions and legal restrictions, the use of balloons for cross-border propaganda persists, highlighting ongoing animosities between the two Koreas.
