South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) reported detecting over 260 balloons since Tuesday night, with photos showing plastic bags labeled “excrement” and filled with waste materials, including plastic, paper, and manure. These balloons were found in the provinces of Gyeonggi and Gangwon and as far south as South Gyeongsang. The South Korean military, coordinating with the United Nations Command, has deployed bomb disposal units and other experts to collect and analyze the contents of the balloons, warning residents not to touch them.
The JCS condemned the operation as a violation of international law, endangering public safety, and demanded an immediate halt from Pyongyang. The incident follows North Korean Vice Defense Minister Kim Kang Il’s recent threats of retaliatory actions against South Korean activists who have long sent propaganda leaflets and other materials into North Korea. North Korean state media justified their actions as a tit-for-tat response to these ongoing South Korean activities.
While no injuries or damage have been reported, the South Korean government issued emergency alerts and advised citizens to report any further incidents. This development adds to the escalating tensions on the Korean peninsula, with increased military drills and harsh rhetoric from both sides.
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