South Korea’s military is on high alert for the possibility of North Korea sending another trash balloon towards the South on June 24. From this day, northerly and northwesterly winds are expected near the Military Demarcation Line (MDL).
The head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff’s public affairs office, Lee Sung Jun, stated at a briefing today, “Northerly and northwesterly winds are forecasted from today.” adding, “We are closely monitoring the activities of the North Korean military.” Deputy Director of the North Korean Workers’ Party Kim Yo Jong criticized the defector groups for spreading anti-North leaflets on June 20 in a statement released on June 21, stating, “It’s natural that unnecessary work arises when you do something you were told not to do.”
While Kim did not specify the unnecessary work, it is interpreted as a warning to resend trash balloons.
In response to the spreading of anti-North leaflets, North Korea has launched trash balloons four times from the end of May to the beginning of June. It has persistently opposed the anti-North leaflets, including a public statement that it would respond hundreds of times if leaflets were spread. Although the possibility of explosives or chemical/biological weapons being mounted on trash balloons is low, these balloons pose a threat as they have previously caused damage to some civilian houses and vehicles upon falling.
According to the head of the office, the North Korean military has not violated the MDL since the violation on June 20.
The North Korean military violated the MDL while working in the uninhabited area within the Central Front of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on June 9, 18, and 20. After the South Korean military’s warning broadcasts and firing, they retreated towards the north.
In response to the North Korean-Russian agreement, the National Security Strategy Institute under the National Intelligence Service suggested that the government needs to review and publicize its own nuclear armament or potential nuclear capabilities. The Ministry of National Defense’s spokesperson, Jeon Ha Kyu, said, “The Ministry of National Defense is not reviewing anything.”
Jeon added, “The U.S. and South Korea are responding to threats from North Korea’s nuclear and missile capabilities through extended deterrence while maintaining a strong alliance system,” adding, “We believe it is functioning sufficiently as it is.”