Kim Jong Un on Wednesday released over 260 balloons filled with trash and waste into South Korea as part of an ongoing propaganda battle.
The balloons, which contained items like plastic bottles, batteries, toilet paper, and possibly manure, were spotted near the demilitarized zone and across eight out of nine South Korean provinces.
Authorities have advised residents to stay indoors.
The South Korean military is investigating the balloons to determine if they carried any North Korean propaganda.
This incident follows a warning from North Korean defense vice-minister Kim Kang-il, who threatened to retaliate against anti-North Korean leaflets sent by South Korean activists. Kang-il stated that waste would be scattered across South Korea as a response.
Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff condemned the North’s actions as violations of international law and a threat to public safety, demanding an immediate halt to these activities.
South Korean media reported images of rubbish-filled balloons and the resulting mess, including possible feces.
Historically, both Koreas have used balloons for propaganda since the Korean War, with defectors sending anti-regime materials into North Korea. A South Korean law passed in December 2020 banned sending such leaflets.
This event coincides with North Korea’s failed satellite launch on Monday, which exploded shortly after takeoff and fell into the Yellow Sea.
Despite the failure, analysts view the launch as part of North Korea’s efforts to advance its space program.
