The relationship between North and South Korea has been strained for some time. Earlier this year, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un vowed to remove a large monument dedicated to the reunification of the Korean Peninsula and referred to South Korea as the nation’s “principal enemy.” Since then, the situation hasn’t improved, with escalating threats and increased border fortifications.
Two unexpected and peculiar factors are adding to the tension: balloons filled with trash and drones carrying leaflets. While these may seem like minor issues, they have further exacerbated the already troubled relations between both governments.
What happened? As mentioned earlier, the already complicated political situation on the Korean Peninsula has been further disrupted by two unusual factors: balloons and drones. Specifically, balloons carrying trash and drones dropping political leaflets.
These items are more than just triggers for escalating tensions between North and South Korea–they’re also the result of these tensions. In fact, balloons and drones are playing a crucial role in the relations between the two countries. To understand this, it’s best to start with North Korea’s recent threat toward its southern neighbor, which was prompted by a few leaflets and drones of unknown origin.
Drones over Pyongyang. On Oct. 3, North Korean authorities detected at least one drone loaded with leaflets over Pyongyang, the country’s capital. According to data released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), a similar incident occurred a few days later. Kim Jong-un’s regime was furious not just because of the drones but also because of the context surrounding the incident.
“Anti-DPRK political motivation rubbish.” According to the North Korean state news agency KCNA, the DPRK authorities believe that the drones came from South Korea and were carrying leaflets filled with “political motivation rubbish” against Kim Jong-un’s regime. This led to a strong reaction from the North Korean government, which rarely faces criticism of the Kim dynasty ruling the country and promoting the cult of the leader.
“We have no concern about who is the main force of provoking the recent drone incident and its performers,” Kim Yo-jong, the influential sister of the North Korean leader, said. She added, “We will take a strong corresponding retaliatory action in disregard of ingredient in case drones carrying anti-DPRK political motivation rubbish from the ROK across the border infiltrate into the territorial sky of the DPRK.” To make the message clear, she warned the South that it could face a “horrible disaster” if North Korea detect drones again.
“A military attack.” North Korea’s foreign ministry went even further and warned that the violation of the North Korean capital’s airspace “could be considered a military attack.” The South Korean authorities were quick to react, although they distanced themselves from what happened.
South Korea’s defense minister said that the country hadn’t flown over Pyongyang with drones but didn’t clarify whether he was referring exclusively to military aircraft or also to devices operated by South Korean citizens. The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff later acknowledged that it couldn’t clarify whether its northern neighbor’s allegations were true or not but sent a message: “Restraint.”
A matter of drones… and balloons. Recent incidents haven’t only involved drones but also balloons flying over the border of South Korea and North Korea. Since May, South Korea has reportedly received more than 5,500 balloons loaded with trash, manure, and even timers. South Korean authorities believe that Kim Jong-un is behind this.
“Decisive military action.” Over time, the trash-carrying balloons have become a serious concern for Seoul, especially since they’ve caused fires and have reached government buildings. There are fears that these balloons may one day contain radioactive substances or pathogens. In response, Seoul plans to use drones and VTOLs to intercept the balloons. The country has also issued a strong warning to Pyongyang, stating that if any of these balloons cause harm to anyone, it’ll respond strongly.
“[South Korea] will take decisive military actions if the North’s trash-filled balloons post a serious safety threat or are deemed to have crossed a line,” the country’s Joint Chiefs of Staff told reporters.
The situation is actually more complex. Both the drones and the balloons aren’t new. Surprisingly, experts suspect that not all the balloons are from North Korea, adding that not all the drones are from South Korea. Activists from the southern side of the border are said to have sent balloons to North Korea, carrying anti-Kim Jong-un political leaflets, dollar bills, and USB sticks with K-pop music instead of garbage.
Regarding drones, Seoul has accused North Korea of flying drones over its airspace in recent years. In late 2022, the South Korean government deployed fighter jets after detecting five aircraft it identified as North Korean over rooftops in the Seoul area.
And then the loudspeakers came. Following Kim Jong-un’s launch of trash-carrying balloons, South Korean authorities deployed loudspeakers as a response. These powerful devices broadcast propaganda messages and K-pop music along the border. Although not a new tactic, it was employed years ago and was described by former South Korean President Park Geun-hye in 2016 as the “most effective form of psychological warfare.”
Blowing up roads. Amid the ongoing tension between the two nations, North Korea has recently destroyed sections of two main roads that connect to the southern country. Although the two Koreas are separated by a heavily guarded border, this action is symbolic and sends a strong message to its neighbor. In response, South Korea’s military has fired warning shots near the border.
Image | Stephanie Nakagawa | 李 季霖
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