North Korea just dropped at least 260 filth-filled balloons on South Korea, prompting officials to warn residents to stay indoors.
South Korea’s army cautioned the public against touching the balloons and the plastic bags attached to them because they contain “filthy waste and trash”.
The balloons have been found in eight of nine provinces in South Korea and are now being investigated.
The recent incident comes days after North Korea said it would retaliate against the “frequent scattering of leaflets and other rubbish” in border areas by activists in the South.
Photographs shared on various social media platforms show bags attached via string to white translucent balloons carrying toilet paper, dark soil, batteries, and leaflets, among other contents.
BBC quotes South Korea’s Yonhap news agency’s report: “Some of the fallen balloons carried what appears to be faeces judging from its dark colour and odour”.
Battle of Ballons
North and South Korea have both used balloons in their propaganda campaigns since the Korean War in the 1950s.
South Korea’s military had earlier said it was investigating whether there were any North Korean propaganda leaflets in the balloons.
Earlier this month, a South Korea-based activist group claimed it had sent 20 balloons carrying choco pies, leaflets, and USB sticks containing Korean pop music and music videos across the border, all of which are banned in North Korea.
Back in 2016, North Korea launched balloons southward that attacked Seoul’s leaders The balloons reportedly carried toilet paper, cigarette butts, and rubbish.
However, Seoul police described them as “hazardous biochemical substances”.
“It seriously threatens the safety of our people. North Korea is entirely liable for what happens due to the balloons and we sternly warn North Korea to immediately stop this inhumane and crass action,” the South’s military said.
