Held Emergency NSC Meeting in the Morning to Discuss Response Measures
Resumed Broadcast by Installing Loudspeakers Directed at North Korea Within the Day
President Yoon Suk-yeol is applauding after awarding certificates of honor to national veterans at the 69th Memorial Day ceremony held at the National Seoul National Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, on the 6th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
The government has decided to resume loudspeaker broadcasts toward North Korea, which North Korea is sensitive about, in response to North Korea's resumption of releasing filth balloons.
On the morning of the 9th, the Presidential Office held an emergency National Security Council (NSC) Standing Committee meeting chaired by Jang Ho-jin, Director of the National Security Office, and announced that loudspeakers toward North Korea would be installed and broadcasts conducted within the day.
The attendees of the meeting agreed that "any attempt to cause public anxiety and social confusion due to North Korea releasing filth balloons again after 8 days cannot be tolerated."
Accordingly, the government decided to install loudspeakers toward North Korea and conduct broadcasts within the day.
The Presidential Office explained, "Although the measures we are taking may be unbearable for the North Korean regime, they will deliver messages of light and hope to the North Korean military and civilians," adding, "We make it clear that the responsibility for escalating tensions between the South and North lies entirely with North Korea."
It continued, "The government will maintain a firm and thorough readiness against any provocations from North Korea," emphasizing, "We will do our utmost to ensure the safety of our people and national security."
The meeting was attended by Director Jang Ho-jin, Chief Secretary Jeong Jin-seok, Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yeol, Unification Minister Kim Young-ho, Defense Minister Shin Won-sik, Director of the National Intelligence Service Cho Tae-yong, Director of the Office for Government Policy Coordination Bang Ki-seon, NSC Secretary-General Kim Tae-hyo, Deputy Director of the National Security Office In Sung-hwan, and Third Deputy Director Wang Yoon-jong.
Earlier, North Korea released filth balloons toward South Korea twice on the 28th-29th of last month and the 1st-2nd of this month, citing South Korea's distribution of leaflets toward the North. After temporarily halting the releases, North Korea resumed releasing filth balloons again on the 6th-7th in response to South Korean defector groups sending leaflets toward North Korea.
According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, North Korea released about 330 filth balloons by 10 a.m. on the day. So far, about 80 have fallen in our territory.
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