South Korea has issued a warning to resume anti-Pyongyang frontline propaganda broadcasts following North Korea's recent trash-carrying balloon launches. This escalation comes after North Korea floated balloons carrying plastic bags of rubbish across the border in response to South Korean activists flying political leaflets via balloons.
South Korean President condemned North Korea's actions as 'despicable and irrational provocation' and vowed to maintain military readiness to respond to any provocations. North Korea's latest campaign involved approximately 350 balloons, with about 100 landing in South Korean territory, including Seoul and nearby areas.
Previous balloon launches by North Korea included items like manure, cigarette butts, and waste batteries. In response, South Korea redeployed loudspeakers along the border and briefly resumed anti-North Korean propaganda broadcasts.
The two Koreas have a history of engaging in psychological campaigns like balloon launches and loudspeaker broadcasts during times of heightened tensions. While they have agreed to halt such activities in recent years, occasional resumptions occur when animosities rise.
North Korea is particularly sensitive to South Korean border broadcasts and leafleting campaigns due to its strict control over information. South Korean leafleting campaigns often include criticism of North Korea's human rights record and the distribution of South Korean media content.
Recent concerns about North Korea were amplified by a deal between Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which included mutual aid provisions in case of attack and a pledge to enhance cooperation. This agreement has raised alarms among the United States and its allies, who suspect North Korea of providing arms to Russia for its conflict in Ukraine.
South Korea, the U.S., and Japan have jointly condemned the growing military ties between Russia and North Korea, describing them as 'anachronistic' and concerning.
