North Korea threatens South over Balloon Propaganda

North Korea has threatened action against the South if propaganda continues to make its way to the North. The South Korean military has been sending helium balloons filled with propaganda leaflets across the border to the North. These leaflets, of which 2.5 million have made their way into the North this month, criticize North Korean leader Kim Jong-il and call for the North Koreans to rise up against their government. According to a South Korean lawmaker, these balloons will soon carry new messages that detail news of the populist uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa. These new message are seen as a direct attack against North Korea's dictator. These messages are seen as very dangerous to the North. As explained by a South Korean official, "The most dangerous virus for the regime is the truth about the outside world and the truth about themselves. They try to contain and prevent information from infiltrating. But they don’t have a vaccine against this kind of virus.” This warning of attacks from North Korea comes as 200,000 South Korean and 3,000 US troops are set to begin annual land, air, and sea exercises.

Mary Naset