In a surprising act, North Korea has sent approximately 20 balloons filled with trash over the border into South Korea. By Sunday, around 10 of these items were found in Cheorwon, a border area, according to the South Korean military.

The balloons, which contained waste like paper and vinyl, were released from Saturday night into early Sunday. The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) confirmed that the dropped items included household waste but stated that there were no hazardous materials involved.

Each balloon, measuring between 2 to 3 meters in diameter and 3 to 4 meters long, typically carries multiple smaller bags of trash. Since late May, North Korea has launched over 5,000 balloons filled with waste in response to anti-Pyongyang leaflets sent by activists and defectors in the South. The trash includes various items, such as wastepaper, cloth scraps, cigarette butts, and even manure.

This unusual trash campaign is seen as retaliation against South Korean activists who regularly send anti-North Korean propaganda across the border. North Korea, under Kim Jong Un's authoritarian regime, is particularly sensitive to external criticism.

In response to the balloon campaign, South Korea has activated front-line loudspeakers to broadcast propaganda messages and K-pop songs. Analysts believe North Korea opposes these broadcasts, as they could undermine the morale of its front-line troops and residents.

The ongoing exchanges between the two Koreas are reminiscent of Cold War tactics and are increasing tensions. Both sides have warned of stronger measures and serious consequences.

Relations between North and South Korea have soured in recent years, worsened by Kim's aggressive pursuit of nuclear weapons and missiles, along with threats of nuclear conflict aimed at Washington and Seoul. In response, South Korea, the United States, and Japan have ramped up joint military exercises and strengthened their nuclear deterrence strategies involving U.S. strategic assets.

Experts predict that hostilities may rise later this month with the start of annual joint military drills between South Korea and the United States, which are being reinforced to counter North Korea’s nuclear threats.

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