North Korea sends waste balloons to neighboring South Korea once more

The South Korean military reported that North Korea had once again sent balloons filled with waste to South Korea. The army urged the public not to touch the balloons and to notify authorities if they were seen. Earlier, the South Korean military had warned of the possibility of more balloons arriving on Sunday and cautioned residents in the capital Seoul and Gyeonggi-do province to be on alert.

Last week, North Korea had sent hundreds of hot air balloons filled with bags of waste to South Korea in response to South Korean activists sending balloons filled with propaganda northwards. Despite initially announcing a halt to these actions on June 2, North Korea resumed sending balloons with waste-filled bags. South Korean activists also sent leaflets and USB sticks containing information against North Korea, prompting North Korean defectors to also send leaflets criticizing the regime.

Despite threats from North Korea that they would respond harshly to the leaflets and balloons, the defectors remained undeterred. One group leader, Jang Se-yul, stated that their organizations would continue their campaign regardless of any retaliation from North Korea. The situation remains tense between the two countries, with North Korea warning of further provocative actions in response to the leaflets and balloons.