1300 Filthy Balloons Released Over Five Days, Spread Like a Rampage
Possibility of Heightened Military Provocation on 9.9 Day
Unable to Mention 'Unification Doctrine,' Resorting to Provocation Instead
North Korea has recently unleashed nearly 1,300 'filth balloons' in a frenzy over the past five days. There is speculation that the level of military provocations, such as missile launches, may escalate to mark the 76th anniversary of the 9.9 Day (the founding day of the North Korean regime).
According to military authorities on the 9th, North Korea remained silent for nearly a month after releasing filth balloons on the 10th of last month. Despite strong opposition during the Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) period, there was little activity, but starting from the 4th of this month, North Korea resumed releasing filth balloons and has been sending trash daily until the day before. They even disregarded wind direction, which should be considered when releasing balloons. The military authorities have identified about 1,250 filth balloons.
North Korea officially maintains that this is a countermeasure against South Korean groups' leaflet distribution to the North, but some analysts interpret it as a protest against the '8.15 Unification Doctrine.' Although Chairman Kim Jong Un abolished the concept of unification earlier this year, he has yet to provide a clear justification to the people. Since even mentioning the 'Unification Doctrine' directly is burdensome, they respond with 'provocations' instead.
Looking at North Korea's pattern of provocations, there is also a possibility of escalating to military provocations. After releasing trash on May 28, North Korea launched a short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) two days later. On June 25, they released filth balloons and fired one ballistic missile the next day, followed by two missile launches five days later on July 1.
The fact that North Korea resumed 'critical statements' from the beginning of this month can also be seen as a step toward raising the level of provocations. Just the day before, the North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the US-ROK Extended Deterrence Strategy Committee (EDSCG) and the first US-ROK Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) tabletop exercise (TTS), labeling them as "US nuclear threat intimidation."
The September 9th celebration rally held on the night of the 8th at Kim Il-sung Square in North Korea [Image source=Yonhap News]
Meanwhile, according to the Korean Central News Agency, key officials including Premier Kim Deok Hun visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun the day before to lay flowers. Chairman Kim Jong Un has not paid respects since the 2021 event. In Pyongyang, celebratory gatherings and evening events commemorating the 9.9 Day were held, but it appears that Chairman Kim also did not attend these.
North Korea established the regime on September 9, 1948, with Kim Il Sung as the head of the cabinet, designating this day as the 'Founding Day of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.' Under the Kim Jong Un regime, emphasis on the 'state' has increased, highlighting the 9.9 Day more prominently. Although this year is not a jubilee year (a year divisible by five), relatively grand events were held.
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