North Korea renews sending garbage-filled balloons to South Korea | Global News

North Korea has resumed sending balloons carrying trash over the border to South Korea, sparking tensions between the two countries. Dozens of balloons with trash attached have been found in Seoul and areas near the border, prompting South Korea’s military to take the situation “very seriously” and be on alert for necessary action.

The North Korean government stated that the balloons were sent in retaliation to anti-North leaflets flown by South Korean activists as part of a propaganda campaign. In response, South Korea has warned of “unendurable” measures against North Korea for sending the trash balloons, which could include blaring propaganda broadcasts from loudspeakers set up at the border.

Despite North Korea temporarily halting the balloon launches on June 2 after sending 15 tons of trash, it has now resumed the activity in response to continued leaflet drops from South Korean activists. These leaflets criticize North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and are accompanied by USB sticks containing K-pop videos, dramas, and U.S. dollar notes.

Experts have noted that North Korea’s strong reaction to the leaflet campaign and loudspeaker broadcasts indicates that Pyongyang views them as a serious threat to its control over the public. The situation remains tense as both countries engage in this unconventional form of propaganda warfare, with the potential for further escalation.