As tensions between Russia-allied North Korea and US-allied South Korea continue to escalate, both nations have adopted increasingly creative strategies to express their discontent.
Pyongyang has launched thousands of trash-carrying balloons into South Korea this year, while Seoul has decided to blast propaganda and K-Pop from loudspeakers placed along the border. Of the more than 400 balloons discovered this month, at least 2 landed inside a Seoul government complex. The balloons are filled mostly with harmless household garbage, though some have contained manure.
No one has been injured by the balloons yet, but South Korea’s military fears the timing devices attached to the balloons could present a serious fire hazard. “We believe there is a possibility of a fire when the thermal wires are activated to separate the balloons from their load,” warned Lt. Col. Lee Changhyun. “The exact cause of such fires is being investigated by relevant authorities.”
At least one fire was reported in Paju last week when a trash balloon landed on the roof of a warehouse.
South Korea’s military is working with local police to develop a strategy to combat the balloons, but gunning them down is out of the question, adds Changhyan, as doing so would result in falling debris.
North Korea has also engaged in missile tests over the past week, sending short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) flying northeast and cruise missiles following a figure-8 pattern over South Korea’s west coast. As reported by South Korea’s state-run media network (KCNA), the test featured a newly-developed ballistic missile called the Hwasongpho-11-Da-4.5, which is equipped to carry a 4.5-ton warhead. Unlike an earlier test launch in July – which is presumed to have failed – KCNA published a photograph showing the missile coming down to land this time.
Military analysts believe the combination of ballistic and cruise missiles being tested suggests North Korea is planning to deceive its enemies if conflict breaks out. Ballistic missiles fly quickly at high altitudes on a fixed path and are easy to detect, whereas cruise missiles fly slower and have less destructive power, but are harder to locate. A combination of the two types of missiles would be difficult for North Korea’s enemies to analyze and track.
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Military says timer devices on N. Korean trash balloons could lead to fires
North Korea launches fresh wave of trash balloons toward South Korea
NK trash balloon lands inside Seoul gov’t complex
North Korean Aggression continues with missile launches and trash balloons