North Korea deploys hundreds of hot-air balloons carrying faeces and dumps them on South
North Korea has sent hundreds of balloons with faeces and bags of rubbish to South Korea as residents are warned to take cover
Reuters
North Korea has sent hundreds of balloons with faeces and bags of rubbish to South Korea as residents are warned to take cover.
Around 200 hot-air balloons have crossed the border since last Tuesday, according to the South’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).
The North warned that more bags are due to land.
Locals posted pictures online of the bags containing plastic bottles, used batteries, old shoes and excrement.
Locals posted pictures online of the bags containing plastic bottles, used batteries, old shoes and excrement
Reuters
In a statement, the JCS said: "These acts by North Korea clearly violate international law and seriously threaten our people’s safety.
"We sternly warn North Korea to immediately desist from its inhumane and vulgar actions."
It comes as South Korean activists have long used balloons to send posters criticising the Kim family.
Other items sent include recordings of South Korean television, films and pop music - which are strictly banned in the North.
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As an incentive to retrieve the deliveries, campaigners would add vitamin tablets, painkillers and dollar bills.
However, in 2020 the deliveries were made illegal by the previous South Korean president, Moon Jae-in.
The ruling was overturned after judges said it violated the right to freedom of expression.
Pyongyang’s vice-defence minister, Kim Kang-il warned that there would be retaliation for a recent bombardment of deliveries from the South.
Around 200 hot-air balloons have crossed the border since last Tuesday
Reuters
He told state media: "Recently, [South Korea] gets undisguised in its despicable psychological warfare by scattering leaflets and various dirty things near border areas.
"Tit-for-tat action will also be taken against frequent scattering of leaflets and other rubbish by the ROK [Republic of Korea] near border areas.
"Mounds of wastepaper and filth will soon be scattered over the border areas and the interior of the ROK and it will directly experience how much effort is required to remove them."