The South Korean military announced on Sunday that North Korea has sent another 600 balloons filled with trash across the border and over South Korean territory. Media images show South Korean personnel in protective gear collecting piles of various waste, from cigarette butts to pieces of cardboard and plastic. South Korea has described this recent provocation from its nuclear-armed neighbor as 'irrational' and 'a low-level act.' Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and a key spokesperson for the country, criticized South Korea this week for complaining about the balloons, stating that North Koreans are 'simply exercising their freedom of expression.' Seoul has warned that if North Korea does not stop the 'trash rain,' it will take severe retaliatory measures, claiming this action violates the armistice agreement that ended hostilities in the Korean War from 1950 to 1953. The Joint Chiefs of Staff of South Korea has urged people to stay away from the piles of trash, although 'no hazardous materials have been found yet.' North Korea has also fired 'several short-range ballistic missiles.' The South Korean military reported that since Tuesday, June 8, about 900 trash-filled balloons have been sent southward by Pyongyang, with the latest wave arriving late on Saturday. These balloons land in northern provinces, including Seoul, the capital, which houses nearly half of South Korea's population. The South Korean military stated that the last batch of balloons was filled with 'waste such as cigarette butts, scrap paper, pieces of cloth, and plastic.' Yonhap News Agency, South Korea's largest news agency, reported that the National Security Council of South Korea is expected to meet on Sunday to discuss a plan to counter the balloons along with the resumption of a loudspeaker propaganda campaign along the border with North Korea. In the past, South Korea had broadcast anti-North Korean leader propaganda via loudspeakers along the border, which provoked anger from Pyongyang. In 2018, during a period of improved inter-Korean relations, both leaders had agreed to 'completely cease all hostile actions against each other in any domain, including the distribution of leaflets across the border.'
North Korea Intensifies 'Trash Rain' on South Korea; Threat of Retaliation from Seoul
North Korea has escalated its provocative actions by sending 600 balloons filled with trash into South Korea, prompting Seoul to threaten retaliation. This incident raises tensions between the two Koreas, especially in light of previous agreements to cease hostile actions. The situation is significant as it reflects ongoing hostilities and the fragile state of inter-Korean relations.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
North Korea has sent 600 balloons filled with trash into South Korea, escalating tensions between the two countries. South Korea has threatened retaliation and is considering resuming loudspeaker propaganda along the border.
- North Korea sent 600 trash-filled balloons into South Korea.
- South Korea considers this a violation of the armistice agreement and is planning potential retaliatory measures.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
North and South Korea have a history of conflict and periodic provocations, despite efforts to improve relations, such as the 2018 agreement to cease hostile actions.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%