Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have once again flared up in an unusual and unsettling manner. Between May 27-28 and June 1-2, 2024, North Korea launched approximately 980 balloons from across the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) into South Korea. These balloons, filled with garbage including cigarette butts, waste paper, and reportedly even manure and fertilizer, have landed in various locations across South Korea, prompting public warnings and military investigations.
The unexpected balloon campaign saw the trash-filled projectiles landing in several high-profile locations, including the outskirts of the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the roof of the Twin Tree Building, which temporarily housed the Japanese Embassy. The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff reported sightings in Seoul, Chungcheong, Jeolla, Gyeongsang, Gangwon, and Gyeonggi provinces. Citizens were advised not to touch the balloons and to report any sightings to the police or military.
According to North Korean Vice Minister of Defense Kim Kang Il, the balloon launches were a retaliatory measure against the activities of anti-North Korean activists, notably the group Fighters for a Free North Korea (FFNK), led by Park Sang-hak. This group has previously sent balloons carrying anti-North Korean leaflets and USB flash drives containing South Korean pop music and other media into North Korea.
In response to the balloon threat, South Korea deployed its Chemical-Biological-Radiological Rapid Response Team and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team to examine the balloons and ensure they did not contain hazardous materials. On June 3, 2024, Vice Minister Kim announced that North Korea would suspend further balloon launches, but warned that they reserved the right to resume if anti-DPRK activists continued their activities.
Deputy Director of the Publicity and Information Department Kim Yo-jong issued a sarcastic statement, criticizing South Korea for its reaction and claiming the balloons were a “gift” in the spirit of freedom of expression. Both statements were broadcasted by the Korea Central News Agency (KCNA).
The United Nations Command (UNC) condemned the incident and launched an investigation, with oversight provided by the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission (NNSC). US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller called the campaign “a disgusting tactic — irresponsible, childish.”
In light of the balloon launches, South Korea is reportedly considering the resumption of using propaganda loudspeakers along the DMZ. The presidential residence announced on June 4, 2024, that it would take “unbearable” measures in response. For the first time since the 2018 Comprehensive Military Agreement (CMA), which was signed in Pyongyang by Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un and then-South Korean President Moon Jae-in, South Korea has restarted military operations at the DMZ. Anonymous government sources have indicated that these measures could escalate if all relevant inter-Korean agreements are nullified.
This is not the first instance of balloon warfare between North and South Korea. In October 2014, North Korean soldiers opened fire on South Korean soldiers at Yeoncheon, after South Korean activists launched balloons carrying anti-DPRK leaflets. In 2016, North Korea sent balloons filled with garbage to South Korea, calling then-President Park Geun-hye “trash” amid a political scandal. South Korean law enforcement has previously intervened to prevent balloon launches when there was a clear threat from North Korea.
In 2022, North Korea even blamed South Korean balloons for causing a COVID-19 outbreak, claiming that the virus spread through “alien things” touched by North Koreans—a claim widely regarded as dubious.
While the balloon campaign might seem comical on the surface, it reflects a deeper, more troubling trend of escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula. This act of “garbage warfare” can be seen as a new form of gray zone warfare, characterized by ambiguous and non-traditional forms of conflict. Residents of the border town of Paju are particularly concerned that North Korea could escalate its tactics, potentially resorting to artillery across the DMZ.
According to the Institute of Policy Studies, these balloon launches are likely to contribute to the ongoing deterioration of inter-Korean relations, even without direct military confrontation. The North Korean strategy appears to be aimed at provoking and unsettling South Korea while avoiding outright warfare.
The recent balloon incident underscores the fragile and volatile nature of inter-Korean relations. As both sides engage in this unconventional form of psychological warfare, the potential for further escalation remains a significant concern. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, urging restraint and dialogue to prevent a further decline in stability on the Korean Peninsula.
