Recently, the US’s Asian allies have become increasingly concerned with a growing problem–Balloons carrying North Korean propaganda. North Korea has begun using large balloons to disperse printed leaflets promoting its determination to defend the country from the US and South Korea and to criticize the former. Although the practice is not new, the frequent use of balloons as a method for delivering propaganda has become a real concern for the US and its Asian allies.
What is Propaganda By Balloons?
Propaganda by balloons is the practice of using a large balloon to release leaflets or other materials over a defined geographic area. Propaganda balloons typically contain anti-U.S. or pro-North Korea messages, and are used to spread fear of war and dissent among citizens. The balloons are usually made of a light material like plastic or silk, and filled with helium or hot air before being released into the atmosphere.
The balloons reach heights of up to 800 meters, or around 2,600 feet. At this height, they can release their payload up to several hundred kilometers away. The balloons are thought to be released near North Korean borders and the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).
How Are The US and Its Allies Reacting?
The US and its Asian allies are taking the balloon threat very seriously. The US is citing potential security and civil aviation risks, with fears that the balloons could be used to distribute malicious payloads such as chemical weapons. Despite these fears, it is unclear how the balloons could be weaponized to cause damage.
The US is also providing aid to South Korean authorities to detect and counter the balloons. For example, South Korean officials received a training from the U.S. Air Force to detect the balloons and remove their payloads.
The South Korean military has begun monitoring balloons, and the South Korean Air Force and Navy are developing methods for shooting them down. South Korea is also deploying more aid to counter propaganda from the North. The South Korean government has launched the “Anti-Propaganda Strategy and Action Plan,” designed to counter North Korean propaganda and strengthen national security by educating citizens on North Korean tactics.
However, South Korea is not the only country affected by the balloons. Japan is also increasingly concerned about the emergence of this new threat. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has repeatedly condemned the North Korean regime for their distribution of balloons. Japanese officials have proposed strategies to counter the balloons, including the training of Japanese security personnel and the installation of detection equipment at Tokyo’s Narita and Haneda airports.
The US and its allies have also deployed jamming devices in the region to disrupt balloon activity, and the US Navy has increased its presence in the region by deploying additional warships.
Potential Missile Threat from North Korea
The balloon threat from North Korea has led to a renewed fear of a potential missile attack. Though many experts do not believe that North Korea has the capability to travel the more than 8,000km (5,000mi) necessary to reach the US, there are worries that the regime could target US allies in the region.
For example, South Korea and Japan both have cities that lie within range of a North Korean missile attack. In addition, US military bases in Guam, Okinawa, and other locations in the region are also in range of potentially threatening missiles.
Although the use of balloons to spread propaganda is generally not considered a military threat, it does complicate the situation in the region. The US and its allies have responded by increasing security measures, monitoring balloon activity, and developing new strategies for countering the threat. Despite these efforts, the balloon threat from North Korea is still a source of fear and anxiety for US allies in Asia.
