Seoul, South Korea, responded strongly to North Korea‘s recent act of launching trash-filled balloons towards its southern neighbor after a long period of calm.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff reported that over 300 waste-filled balloons were launched by North Korea, with over 80 landing on South Korean territory.
The National Security Council of South Korea stated that they would take measures that would be challenging for North Korea but would also send a positive message to its people.
North Korea initiated this balloon campaign as a response to anti-North Korean flyers being sent into its territory. However, North Korea has announced a temporary pause in the campaign.
North Korea has threatened to continue its balloon campaign if anti-North Korean leaflets keep crossing into its territory. Activists from Canada and the United States also took part in sending materials in balloons towards North Korea.
Seoul has urged its residents to avoid the balloons, as some did not land in South Korea. In response, North Korea has threatened to destroy loudspeakers along the border.
Tensions between the two nations have escalated in recent months, with North Korea strengthening ties with Russia and advancing its nuclear weapons program, while South Korea remains a close ally of the United States.
The South Korean Presidential Office has stressed that North Korea is responsible for any rise in tensions. Previously, South Korea had broadcasted across the border, but this was halted in 2018 when tensions eased.
In recent news reports, South Korea has reportedly broadcasted messages up to 15 miles into North Korea.