Balloon Warfare: North Korea Escalates Psychological Tactics Against South Korea

North Korea has intensified its psychological warfare by launching balloons filled with trash towards South Korea. In retaliation against anti-North leaflets, the North has flown thousands of balloons since May, prompting South Korea to respond with propaganda broadcasts. The increased tension mirrors Cold War-style tactics amid ongoing nuclear threats.

North Korea's campaign of psychological warfare has intensified with the launch of trash-filled balloons towards South Korea, officials reported on Thursday.

The South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff detected balloons launched on Thursday morning and evening, following a similar pattern from the previous day.

Since May, North Korea has released thousands of balloons carrying waste materials as retaliation against South Korean activists who fly anti-North propaganda leaflets across the border.

Extremely sensitive to criticism, the North's regime, led by Kim Jong Un, has shown a stark response.

Approximately 420 balloons were launched from Wednesday evening to early Thursday, with about 20 balloons landing in Seoul and nearby Gyeonggi province. These contained paper waste and other trash but no harmful substances.

Residents have been advised to report and avoid contact with the fallen balloons.

An AP photojournalist observed white balloons above the inter-Korean border from Paju in South Korea.

In reaction, Seoul's city government issued alerts on Wednesday evening, warning people to stay indoors and watch for falling objects.

The incident highlights vulnerabilities, as one balloon fell on South Korea's presidential compound in July.

South Korea has retaliated by reactivating loudspeakers to broadcast propaganda and K-pop towards the North, adding to the existing tensions shaped by nuclear threats and military drills.

(With inputs from agencies.)