North Korea sent hundreds of balloons carrying trash and animal excrement across the border to South Korea on Wednesday, calling them “gifts of sincerity.”
South Korea responded angrily, calling the act base and dangerous.
Photos from the South Korean military showed balloons with plastic bags tied to them, containing trash and excrement.
According to the South Korean military, more than 260 balloons had landed by Wednesday afternoon, mainly carrying animal faeces and rubbish.
North Korea said the balloons were in retaliation for North Korean defectors and activists in South Korea sending balloons with anti-Pyongyang leaflets, food, medicine, money, and USB sticks with K-pop videos and dramas.
Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, criticised Seoul for condemning the balloons while defending its citizens’ freedom of expression.
She called the balloons “gifts of sincerity” for South Koreans who support freedom of expression and promised to send many more.
An official at Seoul’s presidential office said the North might want to “test” the South’s reaction but vowed to respond calmly.
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