Balloon war in Korea – The Hindu

What happened

The current “balloon war” is not a new conflict, but an escalation of a long-standing propaganda tactic between North and South Korea.

• May 2024:South Korean activists affiliated with “Fighting for Free North Korea” appear to be behind the recent escalation. It all started with these activists who sent around ten balloons containing leaflets critical of the North Korean regime and USB sticks containing South Korean media (K-pop, dramas) across the border. This was nothing new, but it was certainly the tipping point.
• End of May 2024: North Korea responded by sending hundreds of balloons loaded with trash and possibly manure into South Korea. This was likely intended as a nuisance and a show of defiance. The first round of balloon attacks involved about 250 balloons. The second wave, launched within 15 days of the first, included about 300 balloons, 80 of which landed in South Korea.
• Early June 2024:Tensions rose further when North Korea launched a new wave of balloons filled with trash. South Korea responded by resuming loudspeaker broadcasts of information critical of the North Korean government, a tactic it has used in the past. This was the first time since 2018.
• Mid-June 2024: Kim Yo-jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, condemned the South's actions, calling them “a prelude to a very dangerous situation.” South Korea sees it as an escalation of threats.

These balloons are large transparent cylinders filled with helium and carry messages written in Korean.

The balloon exchange comes against the backdrop of a larger problem: North Korea's nuclear program and the impasse in diplomatic efforts to address it.

The balloon war itself is not particularly dangerous (except for the environmental impact of the waste), but it highlights the fragile relationship between the two Koreas and the potential for a more serious conflict.

This “balloon war” is part of a long history of psychological warfare between the two Koreas.

History: What's going on with the Koreans?

The division of the Korean Peninsula dates back to the end of World War II in 1945, when Korea was liberated from Japanese occupation. The peninsula was divided along the 38th parallel, with the Soviet Union occupying the north and the United States occupying the south. This division was supposed to be temporary, but ideological differences led to the creation of two separate governments: the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) and the capitalist Republic of Korea (South Korea).

In 1950, the Korean War broke out when North Korean forces invaded the South. The conflict lasted until 1953, ending in an armistice but not a peace treaty, leaving the two Koreas technically still at war. Since then, the peninsula has been marked by intermittent periods of hostility and reconciliation efforts, with lingering tensions stemming from ideological differences, military clashes, and North Korea's nuclear ambitions.

Use of Balloons in Psychological Warfare

The use of balloons for psychological warfare dates back to the Korean War (1950-1953).

• Korean War: United Nations and South Korean forces used balloons to drop millions of leaflets on North Korean and Chinese troops. These leaflets contained messages encouraging defection and disseminating information about the progress of the war.
• Cold War: The United States and South Korea continued to use balloons to send anti-communist propaganda to North Korea. The balloons were loaded with leaflets, radios and other items intended to influence North Korean civilians and military personnel.

How does a psychological impact

These balloons could reach remote, heavily guarded areas otherwise inaccessible and broadcast propaganda deep into enemy territory. Leaflets and broadcasts from the outside world could undermine enemy morale and sow doubt among the population about its government and its propaganda.

“Smart Balloons”

A group in Seoul called the Joson Committee for Reform and Opening Up has come up with a new way to send messages to North Korea. They have built high-tech balloons that they call “smart balloons.” These balloons can fly far into North Korea and drop leaflets or even broadcast messages with loudspeakers. This is a whole new level of using balloons to try to influence North Korea. Let’s take a look at how these balloons work and what kinds of messages they carry.

In 2020, the South Korean government banned the launches, citing concerns about escalating tensions with the North. However, a court later overturned the ban, upholding freedom of expression. Some South Koreans oppose the balloon launches, fearing they could provoke North Korea and endanger local residents. This legal ambiguity, coupled with public fear of retaliation and threats from North Korea, creates a contentious environment around the balloon campaigns.