North Korea Balloons

South Korea Countering North Korean Balloon Provocation

Renewed Tension Across Demilitarized Zone

Balloons Carry Waste, Rekindling Tit-for-Tat Exchange

South Korea has detected another 350 balloons suspected to be carrying North Korean waste, reigniting tensions across the heavily fortified Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between the two Koreas. This latest incident marks a significant escalation in a long-standing practice known as "balloon dropping," a remnant of the Cold War era. The balloons have become a contentious symbol of the ongoing conflict between the two countries.

Since May 28th, North Korea has dispatched approximately 1000 balloons laden with trash across the border. These balloons typically carry plastic bags filled with food waste, newspapers, and other refuse. While no hazardous materials have been detected, the sheer number and persistence of the balloon drops have raised concerns and sparked a heated response from South Korea.