Arab News Japan

North Korea dropped at least 260 balloons filled with trash and manure in South Korea, with the authorities warning residents to stay indoors.

South Korea’s military also told the public to not touch the white balloons and any of the plastic bags attached since they contain “filthy waste.”

Some of the balloons were found in eight South Korean provinces. The military said it was also looking into whether any of the balloons contained North Korean propaganda leaflets.

The waste balloon dropping comes after North Korea warned it would hit back against the “frequent scattering of leaflets and other rubbish” in border areas by activists in the South.

North Korea’s Vice Minister of Defense Kim Kang Il told state media on Sunday that “mounds of wastepaper and filth will soon be scattered over the border areas and the interior of the ROK and it will directly experience how much effort is required to remove them.”

Social media users posted pictures of bags attached to white balloons carrying toiler paper, soil, batteries and other waste.

South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported that some of the balloons also carried feces “judging from its dark color and odor.”

The South’s military said the act was a “clear violation of international law”.

“It seriously threatens the safety of our people. North Korea is entirely liable for what happens due to the balloons and we sternly warn North Korea to immediately stop this inhumane and crass action,” the military said.

In early May, a South Korean activist group claimed it sent 20 balloons carrying anti-North Korean flyers and USB sticks which contained K-pop music and videos.