Balloon propaganda campaigns in Korea facts for kids
Balloon propaganda campaigns in Korea are a way both North and South Korea have used balloons to send messages. These messages, often called leaflets, have been sent since the Korean War. The balloons can carry many different things.
At first, the governments and armies of North and South Korea ran these campaigns. But today, most campaigns are run by groups in South Korea called non-governmental organizations (NGOs). These groups regularly launch balloons. They aim to send things that are not allowed in North Korea to its people. They also send other useful items.
South Korean groups mainly launch balloons to help bring democratization (more freedom) to North Korea. They also hope for a change in its government. However, people disagree about how well these leaflet campaigns actually work. Some also worry that the balloon drops make things more tense between the two Koreas. More and more people in South Korea are against these launches. North Korea has also sent its own messages to South Korean soldiers near the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). This is their way of responding to the South's campaigns.
Both the South and North Korean governments officially do not support these balloon drops. But the South Korean government has been careful about stopping activists. This is because they care about freedom of expression. Still, some actions by officials, like banning boats for launches, have greatly reduced the number of leaflets flying into North Korea. In recent years, neither government has officially dropped many leaflets. The direct "psychological warfare" between the two Koreas mostly stopped after the Sunshine Policy. This was a time when South Korea tried to be friendlier with North Korea.
What kinds of balloons are used?
The balloons most often used by NGOs are special. They are clear, about 12 meters long, and filled with helium or hydrogen gas. They are made from strong, double-layered plastic, like what is used in greenhouses. These balloons often have propaganda messages written on their surface in Korean script.
These new balloons replaced older ones called blimps. The South Korean government used to use blimps, but they are no longer made. After the balloons travel far enough across the border, a timer opens the plastic bags they carry. This releases the contents. These balloons can travel up to 200 kilometers (about 124 miles). Each balloon can carry up to 10 kilograms (about 22 pounds) of items.
A group called Fighters for a Free North Korea spends about 500 U.S. dollars for each balloon they launch. They see these balloons as a low-cost way to send messages. This group has thought about improving their GPS (Global Positioning System) to better track where their balloons go. Since early 2015, they have also used small helicopter drones to deliver materials.
How North Korea responds to balloons
North Korea has told its citizens that the items sent by balloons from South Korea are poisoned. But people in North Korea are known to ignore these warnings. Because the balloons are large, they are easy to spot. North Korea has been accused of catching the balloons and poisoning their contents. They do this to make their citizens think South Koreans have bad intentions.
Groups like North Korea Peace have responded by sending socks instead of food. They include a warning and instructions on how to make the "poisoned" socks safe.
In May 2024, North Korea started sending balloons filled with trash into South Korea. North Korea said these balloons were a response. They were reacting to campaigns by North Korean defectors and activists in South Korea. These groups regularly send anti-Pyongyang leaflets, food, medicine, money, and USB sticks with Korean cultural content across the border. South Korea's unification ministry has suggested that the trash inside the balloons might show the problems North Korean society faces.
Images for kids
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South Korean activists releasing balloons critical of Kim Jong Un.
