North Korea sends a fresh batch of floating rubbish towards South Korea
Since Saturday night, about 330 balloons carrying trash sent by North Korea have been discovered, around 80 of which have landed in South Korea, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) reported on Sunday. The packages contained waste paper and plastic, with no hazardous substances.
CNN has counted approximately 1,060 North Korean balloons reaching South Korean soil since May 28. The JCS stated that an emergency meeting of South Korea's National Security Council was held to discuss strategies for responding to the recent balloon wave.
A week ago, North Korea's state media KCNA reported that Pyongyang had dispatched 3,500 balloons carrying 15 tonnes of garbage to its neighbor, as stated by Vice Defense Minister Kim Kang Il.
In response, Seoul announced its intention to resume psychological warfare tactics by broadcasting propaganda messages through loudspeakers across the heavily guarded border. These broadcasts, which had been abandoned following a 2018 summit between the countries, were once a prominent feature of South Korea's efforts to undermine North Korea.
The two nations have been estranged since the Korean War concluded with an armistice in 1953, which means they are still technically at war. The long-standing balloon dispute is an ongoing issue.
Grups such as the Fighters for a Free North Korea have been launching balloons with items forbidden by the North Korean regime – including food, medicine, radios, and anti-North Korean propaganda leaflets.
In May, North Korea counteracted this by releasing its own massive balloons to the South, filled with trash, soil, pieces of paper, and plastic, which they called "filth". Kim explained that this was a defensive measure in response to South Korea's ongoing practice of sending leaflets north.
South Korea has so far persisted in sending balloons filled with anti-Kim Jong Un leaflets and 5,000 USB sticks containing K-pop and K-dramas. In response, Kim stated last week that North Korea would "temporarily halt dropping trash over the border." However, South Korean activists ignored this announcement and launched a barrage of balloons laden with condemnatory leaflets and more USB drives.
The JCS cautioned the public against touching fallen balloons, avoiding objects that might fall, and reporting any discoveries to the nearest military installation or police.
These balloons are currently being "boosted" by North Korea, with the JCS anticipating a potential shift in the wind direction, potentially causing balloons to travel south.
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Despite the recent waste sent from North Korea, South Korea continues to counter with balloons filled with anti-Kim Jong Un leaflets and K-pop content. This ongoing dispute between Asia's two neighboring nations has resulted in trash being spread across various parts of the world.
