Parasites and old clothes in North Korea trash balloons

A large balloon from North Korea landed in a field in South Korea, carrying a bag of trash. Officials discovered parasites from human waste and defaced Hello Kitty clothing in the trash. Since May, North Korea has released over 1,500 balloons filled with waste into South Korea. This action was in response to a leaflet campaign by opponents of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The trash contained roundworms, whipworms, and threadworms in the soil. South Korea's ministry of unification assured the public that the risk of infection from these parasites is low. The balloons also carried slashed 'western' clothes, including items featuring Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh, and Hello Kitty characters. There were also socks, clothes, and heavily patched-up children's clothes. South Korea's military condemned the balloon drops as a 'clear violation of international law. ' A South Korean soldier in protective gear examined the trash from a North Korean balloon. The waste highlighted North Korea's poor economic state and its adversarial stance against South Korea. The soil was likely infected with parasites because North Korea uses human feces instead of chemical fertilizers. North Korea claimed the balloons were retaliation for a propaganda campaign by defectors and activists in South Korea. These activists regularly send balloons carrying food, medicine, cash, and leaflets criticizing North Korea. The two Koreas have recently intensified their cross-border propaganda war. While North Korea sent trash southward, South Korea has been blasting pop songs and news over the border using powerful loudspeakers. On Monday, another set of balloons was sent across the border, prompting South Korean officials to warn people about falling objects. An activist in South Korea told AFP news agency that he had floated more balloons carrying propaganda leaflets towards the north this week. South Korea's military recently cautioned the public against touching the white balloons and plastic bags attached to them because they contain 'filthy waste and trash. ' The recent wave of balloons began in May, leading authorities to advise residents to stay indoors. In addition to anti-Pyongyang propaganda, South Korean activists have previously launched balloons carrying items such as cash, banned media content, and Choco Pies, a South Korean snack banned in the North. In May, a South Korea-based activist group claimed it had sent 20 balloons carrying anti-Pyongyang leaflets and USB sticks containing Korean pop music and music videos across the border. South Korean authorities said the bags 'contained filthy waste and trash' and are being analyzed by relevant authorities. Satellite images have shown sections of the border wall. Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin were also mentioned.