North Korea Releases Rubbish-Filled Balloons Into South Korea

Since the Korean War in the 1950s, both North and South Korea have used balloons for propaganda. South Korea's military is investigating whether any North Korean propaganda leaflets were included in the recent balloons. This incident follows North Korea's recent threat to retaliate against activists in the South who scatter leaflets and other materials in border areas. North Korea's vice-minister of defense, Kim Kang Il, stated that mounds of waste and filth would soon be scattered over South Korea (Republic of Korea or ROK), highlighting the effort required to clean them up.

On Tuesday evening, residents in areas north of Seoul and near the border received text messages from provincial authorities advising them to avoid outdoor activities and to report any unidentified object to the nearest military base or police station.  Photos shared on social media show plastic bags attached to white balloons carrying items such as toilet paper, dark soil, and batteries. Some photos include police and military officers. South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported that some balloons contained what appeared to be feces based on their dark color and odor. South Korea's military condemned the act as a "clear violation of international law" and a serious threat to public safety, holding North Korea responsible and demanding an immediate stop to these actions.