North Korea's Filth Balloon Falls into Yongsan Presidential Office Grounds
Ministry of Unification: "Attempts to Cause Social Disorder Must Not Succeed"
The government has issued a warning to the North Korean authorities who continue to release filth balloons despite the operation of loudspeakers aimed at North Korea.
Kim In-ae, deputy spokesperson of the Ministry of Unification, stated at a regular briefing held at the Government Seoul Office Building on the morning of the 26th, "Regarding a series of provocations such as North Korea's filth balloons, our government has clearly expressed its position that it will take measures that North Korea will find difficult to endure," adding, "We cannot tolerate any attempts by North Korea to cause anxiety among our citizens and social unrest."
Kim In-ae, Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Unification, is holding a regular briefing at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 26th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Deputy Spokesperson Kim reiterated, "North Korea should not make the misjudgment of using our legitimate responses as a pretext for provocation." This was a firm rejection of North Korea's unreasonable claims targeting the private leaflet distribution to North Korea, which the government does not restrict in respect of the Supreme Court's ruling guaranteeing 'freedom of expression,' as well as the military's legitimate loudspeaker broadcast responses.
The military has fully operated loudspeakers aimed at North Korea since the afternoon of the 21st. Initially, broadcasts were sent by dividing time slots by front lines, but as North Korea continued releasing filth balloons, the response level was raised. The broadcasts reportedly included news such as the consecutive defections of North Korean diplomats and the explosion accident during mine-laying operations in the northern area of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), which resulted in the deaths of multiple North Korean soldiers.
Nevertheless, North Korea continues to release filth balloons. In some areas, timers attached by North Korea to burst the balloons exploded, causing fires, and the day before, filth balloons even fell within the premises of the Yongsan Presidential Office building.
As observations arise that North Korea is aiming for a new threat through filth balloons rather than military provocations, some voices call for stronger measures such as striking the points of release. Deputy Spokesperson Kim explained, "There is no change in the government's existing policy of taking measures that North Korea will find difficult to endure," adding, "We will monitor the situation together with related agencies."
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