Defector-activist launches balloons into North Korea, condemns land mine blasts

SEOUL, Aug. 14 (UPI) -- A defector-activist group in South Korea that has condemned North Korea for the land mine blasts inside the demilitarized zone launched 20 helium balloons carrying anti-Pyongyang flyers into North Korea on Friday.

Park Sang-hak of the Fighters for Free North Korea said that Pyongyang had "shattered aspirations for peaceful unification with provocations that are unpardonable atrocities," and added his group is launching the balloons to inform ordinary North Koreans of Pyongyang's crimes against humanity, Yonhap reported.

Park said the activists had prepared the launch as early as 5 a.m. on Friday in order to work around police restrictions. The flyers, 500,000 in total according to Park, contain information on alleged North Korean involvement in the land mine explosions that injured two South Korean soldiers.

North Korea has condemned past launches and on Thursday propaganda outlet Uriminzokkiri said in statement North Korean troops would mercilessly shoot down the balloons – then destroy the launch base in South Korea "beyond recognition," South Korean television network MBC reported.

The balloon launches also are controversial with South Korean residents living near the border because they said they feel the activity places their security at risk.

South Korea police said they plan to deploy 600 police personnel as a preventive measure against clashes between the residents and the vocal activist groups.

South Korea press reported the police and the activists gave conflicting statements on the location of the launch. Park said his group sent balloons near Imjingak, in the city of Paju but police said the balloons were sent from an area closer to Seoul.