SEOUL: Experts claimed that North Korea’s campaign of sending hundreds of trash-filled balloons into South Korea is a “form of soft terrorism” that shouldn’t be underestimated. Kim Ho Young, former police officer of North Korea, calls international community to condemn North Korea’s recent trash balloon terrorism. He termed it is an uncivilized act in the current era. This dangerous behavior must not be tolerated; the regime must be held accountable and pressured to comply with international law and humanitarian principles, experts said. They added that as a threat to global values, North Korea’s actions necessitate a decisive and united response to ensure peace and security.
As per media reports, from May 28 to June 26, Pyongyang sent seven waves of balloons, marking a return to the “psychological warfare” used by the US, South Korea, and North Korea during the Korean War in the 1950s, a report of the Center for Strategic and International Studies said.
The balloons were filled with animal and human feces, batteries, cigarette butts, clothes, dark soil, plastic bottles, toilet paper, and wastepaper, prompting South Korea to advise residents to stay indoors.
North Korea has defended the campaign as a “strictly responsive act” following South Korea’s use of balloons to send propaganda leaflets northward. The report argued that the balloon campaign is the latest manifestation of North Korea’s “decoupling” policy from South Korea. In January, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un announced that he would no longer seek reconciliation with South Korea, describing the relationship as “hostile.”
“The Kim regime is extremely angry with both the conservative and liberal political parties in South Korea,” according to the report. The balloon launches are a direct response to the South Korean government under President Yoon Suk Yeol permitting its citizens to resume sending balloons to the North.
The report also warned of potential escalation as Kim Jong-un’s sister, Kim Yo-jong, has threatened to destroy South Korean loudspeakers near the border that broadcast propaganda to the North, using military fire.
