Seoul. North Korea again released balloons towards South Korea on Monday night. The South Korean military has expressed concern that it may contain debris. Such an exercise is being described as a new phase of the Cold War campaign on the Korean Peninsula. The Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement that the balloons were heading south (Korea). The incident came to light days after a major defense pact was signed between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Observers worry that the accord could lead Kim to take more provocative actions against South Korea. Earlier on Monday, it was said that the military was keeping a close watch on North Korean activities, considering the forecast of northerly or northwesterly winds favorable for balloon launches.
The army issued a statement urging South Koreans not to touch the balloons and to report the matter to army and police officials, although the army did not say what it would do in response to the balloon release. It is being said that Kim Jong Un’s move could increase the tension between the two countries. Due to which a situation of war may arise.
I have done this before
Earlier in late May, North Korea released a series of balloons containing cow dung, cigarette butts, pieces of clothing, waste batteries and plastic in various parts of South Korea, although no hazardous materials were found. North Korea said at the time that the balloon release campaign was an act of retaliation against South Koreans who dropped political leaflets against the country’s government over their border.
Tags: Kim Jong Un, North Korea, South Korea
First published: June 24, 2024, 22:48 IST