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North Korea has resumed its practice of flying trash-carrying balloons toward South Korea, continuing a Cold War-style psychological warfare campaign that has heightened tensions between the two rivals.

According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, the latest balloon launches were detected on Thursday morning, following a similar deployment the previous evening. This marked the second consecutive day of the campaign.

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“Our military confirmed that North Korea had launched more than 420 garbage balloons from last night to early this morning,” Lt. Col. Lee Chang-hyun, a spokesman for Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, reported during a press briefing.

The ongoing launches mark a renewed phase of hostility between the two nations, with North Korea using unconventional methods to antagonize its southern neighbor.

Trash-Carrying Balloons

Lt. Col. Lee also warned the public to remain cautious, as the balloons carried debris that could pose risks. "Since around 9 a.m. [Thursday], balloons have been launched again, so I emphasized to the public that they should be careful of falling loads, and if they see a fallen balloon, do not come into contact with it," he stated.

Approximately 20 balloons carrying paper waste and plastic bottles landed in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province. Fortunately, no hazardous materials were detected in these incidents.

This is the first time in 25 days that North Korea has launched such balloons. The balloons are part of a larger campaign of psychological warfare that has unfolded along the inter-Korean border in recent months. Since early June, North Korea has conducted 13 rounds of balloon launches, sending thousands of balloons loaded with scrap paper, shredded clothing, and even manure into South Korea.

One of these balloons even dropped debris on the compound of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in July.

Escalating Psychological Warfare

The North’s actions are reportedly in retaliation against South Korean civilian activists who have been sending anti-North Korean propaganda leaflets across the border. North Korea has long been sensitive to external criticism, especially any that targets its authoritarian leadership or its ruler, Kim Jong Un.

According to the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff, North Korea has flown thousands of balloons since May, each carrying wastepaper, cloth scraps, cigarette butts, and other materials. “The joint chiefs advised South Koreans to report to the police or military if they see any fallen balloons,” they said.

Civilians have also been urged to avoid touching any of the landing bags. So far, no dangerous substances have been found, and no major damage has been reported.

Balloons Tied in Pairs

On Thursday morning, several sets of white balloons, tied in pairs, were observed floating above the inter-Korean border, according to an Associated Press photojournalist stationed in the South Korean border city of Paju.

In response to the balloons, Seoul’s city government issued text alerts to citizens, advising them to remain indoors and stay vigilant for objects falling from the sky.

The trash-carrying balloons, which have even targeted sensitive locations like the South Korean presidential compound, have raised concerns about the vulnerability of key South Korean facilities.

Although no hazardous materials have been found in these incidents, the psychological effect has been significant.

In response, South Korea has reactivated its front-line loudspeakers to blast propaganda messages and K-pop songs toward the North.

These Cold War-style tactics have added to the already high tensions on the peninsula, with North Korea’s growing nuclear ambitions and South Korea’s expanded joint military exercises with the United States further fueling the discord.