Advertisement
South Korea
AsiaEast Asia

South Korea kicks up a stink about faeces-filled balloons from North

  • By Wednesday, military sources said more than 150 balloons had been detected carrying objects including trash and excrement
  • Balloons have regularly been sent in the other direction by activists and defectors, carrying leaflets critical of Pyongyang and contraband

Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
Trash from a balloon presumably sent by North Korea is seen in Seoul on Wednesday in this photo provided by South Korea’s Defence Ministry. Photo: South Korea Presidential Office via AP
Reuters
South Korea accused North Korea on Wednesday of sending a large number of balloons across the heavily fortified border between the countries to drop objects that included trash and excrement, calling the act base and dangerous.
Advertisement

The military’s explosives ordnance unit and chemical and biological warfare response team were deployed to inspect and collect the objects, and an alert was issued warning residents to keep away and report any sightings to authorities.

By Wednesday, more than 150 balloons had been detected, with some landing on the ground while others were still in the air, local media reported, citing military sources.

Advertisement

Balloons have regularly been sent the other way by South Korean activists, often led by North Korean defectors.

Those balloons carry leaflets with messages critical of Pyongyang, stirring tension between the neighbours, including incidents when the North reportedly tried to shoot them down.

A balloon believed to have been sent by North Korea, carrying objects including what appeared to be trash and excrement, is seen over a rice field in Cheorwon, South Korea, on Wednesday. Photo: Yonhap via Reuters
A balloon believed to have been sent by North Korea, carrying objects including what appeared to be trash and excrement, is seen over a rice field in Cheorwon, South Korea, on Wednesday. Photo: Yonhap via Reuters
Advertisement