South Korea warns residents after North Korea sends balloons with trash
- Balloons carrying trash including toilet paper and batteries were found in South Korea.
- South Korea urges residents to be cautious following the incident involving balloons from North Korea.
- Tensions rise on the Korean peninsula as North Korea's actions cause alarm in the South.
North Korea sent over 260 balloons filled with trash to South Korea. South Korean authorities warned people to stay inside and not touch the balloons or the plastic bags attached to them because they contain dirty waste. The balloons were found in eight out of nine provinces in South Korea and are being examined. South Korea's military is checking if there are any North Korean propaganda leaflets in the balloons. North Korea did this in response to activists in South Korea sending leaflets and trash over the border. North Korea's vice-minister of defense, Kim Kang Il, said that more trash would be sent over the border areas. South Korea is officially called the Republic of Korea (ROK) and North Korea is known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). People were asked to report any unidentified objects to the military or police. Some balloons carried items like toilet paper, soil, and batteries. South Korea's military condemned this act as a violation of international law and a threat to people's safety. South Korea warned residents near the border to be careful. Activists in South Korea have sent balloons with various items, including money and snacks banned in North Korea. North Korea retaliated by sending balloons with trash and feces. The military and police collected the objects and urged people to report any sightings. Sending balloons with messages or items across the border has been a way for activists to criticize North Korea. South Korean government banned these activities in early 2021 after tensions escalated. Sending balloons was seen as a less risky way to protest compared to military actions.