In recent days, North Korea has reportedly sent around 240 balloons of trash across its border, including paper and plastic bottles. Some of the balloons landed in the Gyeonggi region surrounding the capital Seoul. North Korea has sent more than 3,600 balloons of trash to South Korea since May 28, officials said.
Trash Balloon Thriller
North Korean defectors and activists living in South Korea have frequently sent large balloons filled with propaganda leaflets critical of Pyongyang to North Korea. However, North Korea responded by sending more than 3,000 garbage-carrying balloons to South Korea in late May. The balloon shipments, which have caused tension between the two countries, have been described by North Korea as an act of “freedom of expression,” but South Korea has strongly condemned the statement.
These incidents have once again revealed how delicate and complex relations between the two Koreas are. The efforts of both sides to convey their feelings and thoughts towards each other through such actions are causing tensions in the region to increase. Such actions are not only a means of sending a political message, but also an opportunity to reflect the public’s reaction to this situation.
