North Korean Balloons Carry Parasites and Defaced Hello Kitty Clothing into South Korea
In a bizarre turn of events, officials in South Korea have discovered that balloons released by North Korea have been carrying not only propaganda leaflets, but also parasites from human waste and defaced Hello Kitty clothing.
Since May, more than 1,500 balloons filled with waste have been sent across the border by Pyongyang in retaliation for a leaflet campaign against North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Analysis of some of the balloon packages revealed the presence of roundworms, whipworms, and threadworms in the soil.
Despite the alarming discovery, South Korea’s ministry of unification reassured the public that the risk of infection from the parasites is low. The ministry also pointed out that the use of human feces as fertilizer in North Korea likely contributed to the contamination of the soil.
In addition to the parasites, the balloons also carried slashed “western” clothes, including items featuring popular characters like Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh, and Hello Kitty. South Korea’s military condemned the balloon drops as a violation of international law.
The ongoing tit-for-tat propaganda war between the two Koreas has escalated in recent months, with both sides engaging in provocative actions. While North Korea sends trash-laden balloons southward, South Korea retaliates by blasting pop songs and news items over the border using loudspeakers.
Despite warnings from officials to avoid touching the balloons and their contents, activists in South Korea continue to send their own balloons carrying anti-Pyongyang propaganda and banned items like cash and media content. The latest wave of balloons in May prompted authorities to advise residents to stay indoors to avoid the falling waste.
As tensions between the two countries remain high, the bizarre saga of the balloons serves as a reminder of the ongoing conflict and animosity between North and South Korea.
