Members of Gyeoreul Unification Solidarity, a North Korean defectors' group, prepare to send balloons carrying propaganda leaflets critical of the North Korean regime across the border from Incheon's Ganghwa Island, Friday. Courtesy of Gyeoreul Unification Solidarity

A series of trash-laden balloons sent by North Korea has reignited debates surrounding the government's stance on anti-Pyongyang leaflets launched by local activists, most of whom are defectors.

Over the last couple of weeks, North Korea has launched approximately 1,600 balloons carrying waste paper and plastic to the South on four occasions since May 28. This exchange followed South Korean activists' release of large balloons carrying anti-regime leaflets to the North.

Observers criticized the government's passive tolerance of the leaflet distribution activities, arguing that it has provided a justification for the North's balloon offensive. They called for at least minimal administrative engagement to halt civic groups from sending more leaflets to the North to prevent tensions from escalating further.

"The ball is now in our court. North Korea's next step will depend on whether the defector groups launch propaganda leaflets," said Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies.

Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, warned on Sunday of additional retaliatory measures if Seoul continues loudspeaker broadcasts and leaflet launches.

"In other words, the North would refrain from further provocations if the South stops its loudspeaker broadcasts and leaflet launches," Yang said. He noted that the Kim regime is likely to act cautiously to prevent tensions from escalating further, with Russian President Vladimir Putin's planned visit to Pyongyang on the horizon.

According to Russian newspaper Vedomosti, Putin will visit North Korea and Vietnam in the coming weeks, potentially meaning that the visit could be as early as this month.

The South Korean government is apparently treading cautiously as well. After resuming its loudspeaker propaganda broadcasts toward the North in retaliation for its balloon offensive, Sunday, the military refrained from operating the speakers on Monday. This move was perceived as a prudent stance aimed at preventing a further escalation in tensions.

"In such a situation, additional leaflet launches could heighten military tensions. Pyongyang may resume sending balloons filled with trash in retaliation, or worse, engage in more provocative actions. The government should exercise its power to limit the leaflet launches, at least for now," Yang said.

Park Sang-hak, head of Fighters for a Free North Korea, speaks during a leaflet-sending campaign in the border city of Paju, June 4, 2020. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

However, even after the balloon saga, Park Sang-hak, head of the Fighters for a Free North Korea (FFNK), remains resolute about his intention of sending propaganda leaflets to the North.

"I will keep on flying the leaflets until Kim Jong-un apologizes for sending garbage and excrement to South Koreans," Park told The Korea Times, Tuesday.

Last Thursday, the defector-turned-activist sent 10 large balloons filled with 200,000 leaflets criticizing the Kim regime along with USB drives loaded with K-pop and trot music, which prompted the North to respond with a third batch of trash-carrying balloons.

The Ministry of Unification is planning to hold a meeting with several civic activists who have been sending the leaflets, potentially to indirectly discourage them from their activities. However, Park said he "has not received any contact from the ministry and will not engage in any discussions with the authorities."

Park declined to comment on his next leaflet launch, stating that it depends on the course of wind and weather conditions.

The Yoon Suk Yeol government has been refraining from intervening with the civic group's leaflet activities citing a 2023 Constitutional Court ruling that affirmed these actions as being protected under freedom of expression.

An image of a poster included in the anti-North Korea leaflets sent to the North by the Fighters for a Free North Korea (FFNK) last Thursday. Courtesy of Fighters for a Free North Korea

Yet calls to halt the leaflet launches are also coming from the conservative ruling People Power Party (PPP).

Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun of the PPP urged the defector groups to take a break, highlighting North Korea's warning of a hundredfold retaliation if the South resumes sending leaflets.

"Defector groups should not provide North Korea with a pretext for provocation by sending leaflets so openly. It is necessary for them to either send the leaflets discreetly or temporarily suspend their launch to avoid giving North Korea a reason for provocation," the lawmaker said during a press conference, Monday.

On the same day, Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon demanded the central government take appropriate measures regarding the leaflet launches.

"The government should not passively tolerate the launch of anti-North Korean leaflets but must implement concrete measures to address the issue," Kim wrote on Facebook.

The governor also said he will utilize all available administrative power to ensure the safety of Gyeonggi Province residents living near the border area. This could include designating off-limit danger zones and cracking down on leaflet distribution activities in accordance with relevant laws.