North Korea conducted a strange provocation against South Korea by flying hundreds of balloons carrying trash and manure across the border. This action led the South Korean military to deploy chemical and explosive response teams to recover the objects and debris scattered in various parts of the country.
While the balloon campaign was ongoing, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un instructed his military scientists to focus on developing space-based reconnaissance capabilities after a failed satellite launch. He emphasized the importance of this capability in countering the military activities of the United States and South Korea.
In response to a recent exercise involving South Korean fighter jets near the inter-Korean border, Kim warned of “overwhelming actions” against South Korea. He criticized the South Korean response as a direct military challenge towards North Korea.
In retaliation against South Korean activists who were flying anti-North Korean propaganda leaflets, North Korea continued to fly balloons carrying trash towards the South. The South Korean military found around 260 North Korean balloons in different parts of the country and advised civilians not to touch the objects.
North Korean Vice Defense Minister Kim Kang Il announced plans to scatter trash and filth over border areas and other parts of South Korea as a tit-for-tat response to the leafleting by South Korean activists. Kim Yo Jong, the North Korean leader’s sister, defended the action as an exercise of freedom of expression.
Photos released by the South Korean military showed trash scattered across highways and roads. No immediate damage was reported, but similar North Korean balloon activities in the past have caused damage to property.
World
North Korean rocket carrying its 2nd spy satellite explodes in mid-air
3:22 PM, May 27, 2024
Kim Jong Un’s comments about the failed satellite launch were made during a speech at the North’s Academy of Defense Sciences. The explosion of the rocket carrying the satellite was attributed to the reliability of a new rocket engine being developed by North Korea.
Tensions between North and South Korea have escalated in recent years, with increased weapons demonstrations by Kim and military exercises with the U.S. and Japan. The failed satellite launch was a setback to Kim’s plan to launch more military spy satellites in 2024.
North Korea maintains its right to launch satellites and test missiles in response to perceived military threats. Kim views spy satellites as essential for monitoring U.S. and South Korean activities and enhancing the threat posed by North Korea’s missiles.
Although the recent launch failed, North Korea has not announced when it plans to attempt another satellite launch. The mention of a new rocket engine suggests North Korea is working on a more powerful space launch vehicle.
Kim’s ties with Russia have become more prominent, with the two leaders aligning in response to confrontations with Washington. Putin has expressed willingness to assist North Korea in building satellites, potentially indicating external technological help.
]
