Recently, a trash-filled balloon floated over from North Korea and hit the presidential compound in South Korea, causing security concerns. Since May, North Korea has been using balloons as a new source of tension by floating thousands of them with bags of trash attached. This has been a response to South Korean activists and defectors sending propaganda leaflets via balloons for years.
South Korea’s Defense Minister warned that North Korea’s military could potentially fire at balloons sent by South Korean activists. However, the likelihood of detecting the exact time and location of the balloons is low. In response to North Korea’s balloons, South Korea has been blaring K-Pop through loudspeakers across the border.
This incident raised concerns about the security of key buildings in the presidential compound. South Korea has cautioned people not to touch the objects in the trash bags. The defense minister also mentioned that North Korea could respond through various measures such as cyber-attacks or the dissemination of propaganda leaflets using drones.
Tensions between the two Koreas have been escalating for months, with North Korea accelerating weapons testing and soldiers crossing the border briefly. Kim Jong Un’s sister hinted at the resumption of balloon launches in response to “dirty leaflets” from South Korea. North Korea has also been building a wall-like structure along the demarcation zone, causing further strain between the two countries.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com