SEOUL — South Korea's military issued a stern warning on Monday regarding the ongoing campaign of trash balloons launched by North Korea, stating that Pyongyang would bear full responsibility for any damages caused. This announcement follows comments from Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, asserting that South Korea would pay heavily for anti-Pyongyang leaflets sent across the border.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim Yo-jong highlighted the discovery of "dirty leaflets and things" in 17 locations along the border, describing these acts as provocations. JCS spokesperson, Col. Lee Sung-jun, emphasized during a briefing that North Korea must be held accountable if the balloon campaign results in any harm to South Korean citizens. The military's response includes considering a flexible approach to potentially resuming loudspeaker broadcasts along the border, contingent on strategic and operational assessments.
This conflict escalation follows North Korea's launch of over 2,000 balloons filled with trash into South Korea since late May, a tit-for-tat response to leaflets sent by North Korean defectors from the South. In retaliation, South Korea has previously employed loudspeaker broadcasts as a method of psychological warfare.