The president’s office released a statement on Sunday noting that North Korea had launched over 300 balloons filled with rubbish across the border on Saturday. According to Seoul’s military, this action prompted the president’s office to implement “corresponding measures.”
“We will install loudspeakers against North Korea today and carry out the broadcast. The responsibility for the escalation of tension between the two Koreas will be entirely up to the North ”.
“Although the measures we are taking may be difficult for the North Korean regime to endure, they will deliver messages of light and hope to the North Korean military and citizens,” the statement added.
In recent weeks, activists in South Korea have sent dozens of balloons northwards carrying K-pop content, dollar bills, and anti-Kim Jong-un messages, which has greatly angered Pyongyang. In retaliation, North Korea sent nearly a thousand balloons filled with cigarette butts and toilet paper across the border in late May and early June. Although they paused this campaign, they resumed it on Saturday in response to the latest balloon launches by the activists last week.
Seoul’s military reported that an “analysis shows there were no harmful substances,” with the latest batch of balloons containing waste paper and plastic. However, authorities have advised the public to avoid contact and report any sightings of these balloons.
The return of South Korea’s loudspeaker broadcasts had been widely expected since last week when South Korea suspended a 2018 agreement aimed at reducing tensions with North Korea.
Meanwhile, liberal lawmakers, various civic groups, and residents near the border have urged the government to stop leafleting activists from launching balloons, to prevent unnecessary conflicts with North Korea.
