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North Korea: Propaganda balloons hurt efforts to reunite families

North Korea’s statement came two days after a South Korean activist said he recently sent leaflets and videos condemning Pyongyang.

By Elizabeth Shim
Activists in South Korea launched balloons carrying anti-Pyongyang propaganda on Sunday. North Korea has condemned the launches and accused the activists of "spreading hatred and loathing." File Photo by Yonhap
Activists in South Korea launched balloons carrying anti-Pyongyang propaganda on Sunday. North Korea has condemned the launches and accused the activists of "spreading hatred and loathing." File Photo by Yonhap

SEOUL, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- North Korea said the balloon launches of anti-Pyongyang leaflets from the South could interfere with a planned family reunion, but a former South Korean defense minister made a case for the launches, and said South Korean commercial products, including those used in feminine hygiene, have gained in popularity.

In a statement of condemnation issued on Wednesday, Pyongyang's propaganda outlet Uriminzokkiri said, "How can separated families from the North and South meet, and how are North and South Korean authorities to engage in rapprochement when there are [individuals] spreading hatred and loathing between a common people?"

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North Korea's statement came two days after South Korean activist Park Sang-hak of the Fighters for Free North Korea said his organization had launched 10 giant balloons from the South Korean border city of Paju early Sunday.

According to Park, the balloons carried 200,000 anti-Kim Jong Un leaflets and included videos of South Korean President Park Geun-hye attending China's Victory Day parade on Sept. 3. Other information included denunciations of North Korea's long-range missile and nuclear weapons programs. Park said the balloons also carried 1,000 $1 bills, and the videos were loaded on to 500 flash drives and 500 DVDs.

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Seoul's Unification Ministry spokesman Jeong Joon-hee said on Wednesday the government was not notified of the balloon launch, and while Pyongyang is opposed to the activists, to ban the activities would be unconstitutional.

Seoul may not want the balloon launches to interfere with North-South rapprochement, but a former defense minister said the launches are effective because the balloons have reportedly reached ordinary North Koreans, South Korean newspaper Munhwa Ilbo reported.

Kwon Young-hae, who served as defense chief under President Kim Young-sam, said the Kim regime is fragile and the propaganda leaflets from the South are the most lethal weapons against the regime in Pyongyang.

Kwon said in addition to information, household products from South Korea including those used for feminine hygiene have become popular in the North since they have been delivered by balloon.

Kwon said the foreign currencies, media and South Korean products sent to ordinary North Koreans are bringing in South Korean culture into the North.

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