South Korean media widely shared photographs of white balloons carrying garbage bags filled with trash and suspected excrement, allegedly sent by North Korea into the South. Seoul’s military criticized Pyongyang’s “low-class” actions, following North Korea’s warning of showering border areas with waste to retaliate against Seoul.
Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff identified “unidentified objects believed to be North Korean propaganda leaflets” in the border area and urged citizens to avoid contact and report any findings to authorities. Gyeonggi province issued alerts advising residents to refrain from outdoor activities.
North Korea’s unconventional move comes amidst tensions, with South Korean activists often releasing balloons carrying anti-regime propaganda. Pyongyang’s threat of retaliation followed Seoul’s protests over a failed North Korean spy satellite launch. Pyongyang accused Seoul of recklessness, vowing to bolster its armed forces.
Analysts noted a change in North Korea’s tactics, with bags containing toilet paper, trash, and possibly animal feces. Cheong Seong-chang of the Sejong Institute emphasized this as a message to halt propaganda activities.
The exchange underscores enduring tensions between the two Koreas, still technically at war since the 1950-53 conflict. Despite efforts for peace, actions like these perpetuate the divide and escalate regional instability.
