Don’t look up. South Korean authorities issued a warning of an impending “air raid” near the North Korean border. However, the threat wasn’t conventional weapons but rather 150+ balloons carrying waste and potentially feces.
Following a text alert, residents were urged to stay indoors and report any sightings. The incident occurred shortly after North Korea’s threat of retaliation over anti-Pyongyang leaflets sent from South Korea.
Reports indicate the balloons were carrying trash, including plastic bottles, batteries, and feces. North Korea’s action was seen as a response to propaganda-laden balloons sent by South Korean activists into North Korea.
Although tensions rise between the two countries, experts suggest that balloon exchanges are a safer alternative to military conflict. Grey zone tactics like these, while disruptive, are less likely to escalate into full-blown conflict.