In response to North Korea’s recent provocative actions, South Korea has announced that it will implement ‘unbearable’ retaliatory steps against the regime led by Kim Jong Un. The tensions between the two nations have intensified in recent weeks, with North Korea launching hundreds of balloons carrying trash into South Korea. North Korea has also simulated nuclear strikes against South Korea and allegedly jammed GPS navigation signals, further escalating the conflict.
South Korea’s decision to retaliate was made during an emergency meeting held on Sunday, where top officials condemned North Korea’s actions as ‘absurd, irrational acts of provocation.’ South Korea’s national security director, Chang Ho-jin, stated that these actions were beyond the comprehension of ‘normal countries.’ Chang accused North Korea of intentionally trying to incite ‘public anxieties and chaos’ within South Korea.
Although South Korea has not disclosed the specific measures it will take in retaliation, observers speculate that the country will likely resume broadcasting propaganda messages into North Korea using loudspeakers. These broadcasts often criticize North Korea’s human rights record and play K-pop music, which is strictly prohibited in the North. North Korea has exhibited extreme sensitivity to such broadcasts, as the vast majority of its 26 million citizens have no authorized access to foreign media.
Earlier on Sunday, South Korea’s military revealed the discovery of over 700 balloons flown from North Korea in various regions of the country. The balloons contained cigarette butts, fabric scraps, waste paper, and vinyl. However, the Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed the absence of any hazardous substances. This latest incident marks the second balloon operation conducted by North Korea within a week. South Korean authorities had previously reported finding approximately 260 balloons from North Korea loaded with garbage and manure between Tuesday and Wednesday. Fortunately, no substantial damage has been reported in South Korea.
North Korea justifies the balloon campaign as a response to South Korean activists releasing anti-Pyongyang propaganda leaflets across the border using their own balloons. North Korea has consistently reacted with severe anger to balloon launches from South Korea. In 2020, North Korea responded to the balloon campaigns from the South by blowing up an empty liaison office, constructed by South Korea, on its territory.
As tensions continue to escalate, it remains to be seen what ‘unbearable’ retaliatory measures South Korea will implement. The resumption of loudspeaker broadcasts into North Korea could further agitate the situation, but South Korea will likely seek to minimize the risk of military escalation.
