South Korea decides to suspend military agreement with North Korea over garbage balloons

North Korea sent about 3,500 balloons of various sizes across the border between May 28 and June 2, Vice Minister of National Security Kim Kang Il said in a statement carried by the North’s state media.

South Korean officials say about 260 balloons floated across the border in one day when the balloon business began. Thousands of balloons sent since then have carried about 15 tons of waste to South Korea, the North Korean official said on Sunday.

South Korea said it would take “intolerable” action against North Korea for sending garbage balloons across the border, which could include blaring propaganda from loudspeakers aimed at the North.

North Korea said it was in retaliation for a propaganda campaign by North Korean defectors and activists in South Korea, who sent inflatables containing anti-Pyongyang leaflets, food, medicine, money and USB sticks loaded with K-pop music videos and dramas. Materials are regularly sent across the border.

North Korea has not commented on the weekend balloons. South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik told US Defense Secretary Austin Lloyd at a conference in Singapore on Sunday that the balloons violated the ceasefire agreement, according to the South Korean military.