In a fresh escalation of tensions, North Korea has launched another round of trash-filled balloons across the border into South Korea, prompting Seoul to denounce the act as “irrational” and “low-class.”
According to South Korea’s military, approximately 600 balloons carrying various forms of waste, including cigarette butts, cardboard, and plastic, were released by North Korea. Hazmat-clad personnel have been deployed to collect the debris, emphasizing the potential public health hazard posed by the trash.
While this latest provocation does not breach UN sanctions, unlike recent ballistic missile tests, South Korea has warned of robust countermeasures unless Pyongyang halts the balloon campaign. The action is seen as a violation of the armistice agreement that halted the Korean War hostilities in the 1950s.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff in South Korea have cautioned the public to avoid contact with the scattered waste, although no hazardous substances have been detected so far. Surveillance efforts are underway to track the movement of the balloons, with authorities urging citizens to report any sightings to the military or police.
Since Tuesday, approximately 900 balloons have been launched by North Korea, with the latest batch reaching South Korean territory on Saturday. The balloons have been observed landing in northern provinces, including the densely populated capital Seoul and its surrounding areas.
In response to the provocations, South Korea’s National Security Council is slated to convene to discuss potential countermeasures. One proposed action includes the resumption of loudspeaker propaganda campaigns along the border with North Korea, aimed at delivering messages to residents across the demilitarized zone.
As tensions persist between the two Koreas, the trash balloon incidents underscore the ongoing challenges in maintaining stability on the Korean Peninsula.
