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South Korea Tightens Measures on Balloon Launches to North Korea

The unification ministry convened a cross-agency session to enforce aviation and disaster safety rules after recovered balloons carried materials toward the North

This file photo, taken April 23, 2025, shows balloons carrying leaflets calling for North Korea's repatriation of South Koreans abducted by the North in Paju, just northwest of Seoul. (Yonhap)
A group of families of those abducted by North Korea holds a press conference on June 16, 2025, in front of the government complex in central Seoul over its campaign to send anti-North Korea leaflets across the border. (Yonhap)
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Overview

  • Police recovered large balloons in Incheon and Gimpo carrying Bibles, USB drives and snacks and are investigating violations of aviation safety, disaster prevention and gas safety laws
  • President Lee Jae-myung’s office reiterated that illegal leaflet campaigns threaten border residents and ordered ministries to devise preventive and punitive responses
  • The unification ministry met June 16 with the Prime Minister’s Office, intelligence and interior ministries to outline legal and enforcement steps against future launches
  • The Families of Abductees group said it will continue sending sub-2 kg newsletters toward North Korea unless the government holds talks and addresses abductee cases
  • South Korea suspended loudspeaker broadcasts toward the North and Pyongyang reciprocated by pausing its noise broadcasts along the border