North Korea Continues to Launch Trash Balloons to South Korea

News Summary

According to the South Korean military, North Korea launched more trash balloons on Sunday. In a retaliatory move against anti-North Korea leaflets sent by North Korean defectors and activists in South Korea, the North has been sending thousands of trash balloons since late May. In response, the South Korean military has been broadcasting daily anti-North Korean propaganda through loudspeakers at the border since July 21.

Commentary

North Korea's ongoing release of trash balloons into South Korea is a part of North Korea's psychological warfare tactic, designed to unsettle the South Korean population and foster discontent with the Yoon administration's approach to North Korea. President Yoon's tough stance on the North including daily anti-North Korean propaganda broadcasts, coupled with his recent "freedom-based unification" doctrine, poses a significant threat to the Kim regime.

Kim Jong Un aims to sow social unrest and dissatisfaction within South Korean society through collaboration with South Korea's liberal opposition parties, in a bid to facilitate the impeachment of President Yoon. The Yoon administration must stand strong against both ongoing provocations from the Kim regime and increasing internal pressures in South Korean society, as their adversaries are aware that their downfall is imminent.