Tensions escalated between North Korea and South Korea over an unexpected turn of events as North Korea sent trash-filled balloons to its adjacent nation South Korea. North Korea floated numerous balloons to South Korea filled with dirty diapers, cigarette butts, fabric fragments, used tissue rolls and old batteries. In response, South Korea pulled back its sensitive military treaty to ease disturbances with its northern neighbor and threatened harsh revenge.  

The two countries were a single nation but after World War II, it got divided into North Korea and South Korea since the end of World War II.  However, all has not been well between the two nations as a war ensued from 1950 to 1953 which ended in an armistice agreement but without a peace treaty.

What North Korea did? 

North Korea sent approximately 1,000 balloons of different kind of debris over the border into South Korea, since May28. Although no hazardous items found, South Korean social media buzzed with the apprehensions that North Korea might employ balloons in the future to disseminate chemical, biological or other harmful weapons. 

Kim Kang II, North Korean vice defense minister, announced that North Korea would halt its balloon campaign as it gave the South Koreans “enough experience of much unpleasant they could feel”. 

How South Korea Responded? 

South Korean civic activists consistently launched helium-filled balloons, carrying anti-Pyongyang flyers, as well as USB sticks containing South Korean dramas and worldwide news, into North Korea. Typically, since North Korea’s 26 million inhabitants have no access to official foreign news sources, this step will eventually weaken the leader’s strength in nation.  

South Korea also suspended a military agreement made with North Korea in 2018, which aimed to elevate military readiness along the border. This agreement was established during a short period of improved relations between the two Koreas. It aimed at stopping all the aggressive actions against each other at border regions, like firing drills and aerial spying. 

South Korean Residents are on Edge 

Amidst the tensions arising between the two nations, South Korean residents who are living near the border are on edge.  

“I lived through the Korean War and other difficulties, and I was worried… What if we have another war?” said 84-year-old Song Kwang-ja, a resident of Yongin city, 

“That reminded me of the old days. I still get goosebumps thinking and talking about it,” she said, adding that the balloons “felt like a childish prank.” 

The ongoing controversy sparked by North Korea’s provocative actions of sending trash-filled balloons to South Korea has prompted swift responses and resulted in halt of military agreement. The tensions between the nations demand for a quick action to cut future risks, that can worsen the country’s harmony.