North Korea has intensified its provocative actions against South Korea by launching trash-filled balloons across the heavily guarded border, with one landing on the South Korean presidential office compound in Seoul for the first time. This marks a significant escalation in the ongoing ‘balloon war’ between the two nations.According to the South Korean Presidential Security Service, the balloon that landed on the presidential complex was found to contain no hazardous materials or contaminants. A chemical, biological, and radiological response team was mobilized to inspect the contents, confirming that it posed no threat.This incident is part of a larger campaign by North Korea, which has launched over 3,000 balloons filled with trash towards South Korea since late May. The balloons typically carry various waste materials including cigarette butts, wastepaper, used batteries, and sometimes even manure.The North Korean government claims these launches are in retaliation for anti-regime propaganda leaflets sent by South Korean activists via similar balloon methods. In response to the escalating tensions, South Korea has taken several countermeasures:1. Resuming large-scale propaganda broadcasts through loudspeakers along the border, including K-pop music and advertisements.2. Suspending a 2018 military agreement aimed at reducing tensions along the heavily fortified border.3. Restarting live-fire exercises on border islands and near the demilitarized zone.The South Korean military has advised the public not to touch any suspicious objects and to report sightings to the authorities. Despite the provocative nature of these actions, the military has refrained from shooting down the balloons to avoid dispersing their potentially harmful contents.This latest incident underscores the ongoing conflict between North and South Korea, who are still technically at war since the 1950s. As tensions continue to rise, the international community watches closely for further developments in this unique form of psychological warfare.
Key points
- A North Korean balloon carrying trash landed on the South Korean presidential office compound for the first time.
- North Korea has sent over 3,000 trash-filled balloons to South Korea since May as retaliation for propaganda leaflets.
- South Korea has responded by resuming propaganda broadcasts and suspending a military tension-reducing agreement.
- The incident highlights the ongoing conflict between North and South Korea, who are still technically at war.
Contradictionsđź‘ľSome sources report over 2,000 balloons sent, while others claim over 3,000, indicating some discrepancy in the exact count.
