North Korean propaganda balloon bursts over Seoul palace

The Presidential Security Service reported on the explosion, which occurred early Thursday morning. It added that the scattered items did not pose a threat and were collected.

According to Yonhap, the balloon carried leaflets containing critical content about the President of the Republic of Korea, Yoon Suk-yeol, and his wife, Kim Keon-hee.

One leaflet accused the head of state of "talking in his sleep about the regime's downfall in the face of nuclear power." This refers to a speech by Yoon on Armed Forces Day, in which he warned Pyongyang that using nuclear weapons would mean "the end of the North Korean regime."

Another leaflet described the first lady as a "modern-day Marie Antoinette," detailing the cost of her accessories, such as necklaces and earrings. Kim found herself at the centre of a scandal after being accused of accepting a luxury handbag from a Methodist Church pastor.

Meanwhile, according to the South Korean newspaper "Chosun Daily," the leaflets included photos of the presidential couple accompanied by the comment "fortunately, President Yoon and his wife have no children."

This is the second time a balloon from the North has landed within the presidential complex in central Seoul, an area that is a no-fly zone. The first such incident occurred on 24th July.

Since the end of May, the communist North has launched thousands of balloons over the southern neighbour's territory in 30 salvos, with bags filled with rubbish attached.

This has become another reason for the growing tension between these countries. The balloons usually carry torn clothing, scrap paper, and plastic waste. This time, for the first time, the sending of leaflets criticising the authorities in Seoul was confirmed.

The authorities in Pyongyang maintain that these actions are a response to balloons with propaganda leaflets sent over its territory by civilian organisations from the South.

Source: PAP/ The Chosun Daily/WP