North Korea sends 'Trash Balloons' to South Korea again

According to Yonhap, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) confirmed that balloons suspected of carrying "trash" were sent from the North.

The statement noted that the balloons are likely to drift towards the northern part of Gyeonggi Province, which surrounds the capital, Seoul. The public has been advised not to touch the balloons and to report them to authorities.

Background

Previously, North Korean defectors and activists in South Korea had launched large balloons filled with anti-Pyongyang propaganda leaflets into the North.

In response, North Korea sent over 3,000 balloons filled with trash to South Korea starting in late May.

The exchange of balloons has heightened tensions between the two countries, with North Korea labeling its actions as "freedom of expression." South Korea has condemned this characterization.