Official statements from the US Department of Defense or South Korean government

North Korea Sends 600 Trash Balloons to South Korea, Escalating Tensions

Jun 1, 2024, 09:00 PM

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have escalated as North Korea continues to send hundreds of balloons filled with trash and human waste into South Korea. Over the past week, North Korea has launched approximately 600 such balloons, with many landing in Seoul and the surrounding Gyeonggi Province. This follows an earlier launch of 260 balloons. The South Korean military has issued warnings to the public and is considering strong counter-measures if these provocations do not cease. The balloons, which contain items such as manure, cigarette butts, and waste batteries, have been described as 'shameful' and 'vile' by South Korean officials. The provocations have also included GPS signal jamming, further aggravating the situation. South Korea's defense chiefs, in coordination with the U.S., have condemned these actions and are holding a National Security Council meeting to address the ongoing crisis. The actions are seen as retaliation for anti-Pyongyang leaflets floated into North Korea by South Korean activists last month. Additionally, North Korea has sent 720 more balloons.