Here’s What It Said on North Korea’s Propaganda Leaflets that Dropped Near Presidential Office

On October 24, North Korea launched its 30th trash balloon, carrying a large number of anti-South Korean leaflets that harshly criticized President Yoon Suk Yeol and First Lady Kim Keon Hee. One of these leaflets landed on the grounds of the Presidential Office in Yongsan, drawing attention.

The leaflets were discovered around 1 PM, just before the official welcoming ceremony for Polish President Andrzej Duda’s state visit. Presidential staff were seen hurriedly collecting the leaflets from the event grounds. A spokesperson for the Presidential Office explained, “The balloons were launched in the early morning, and it appears that leaflets caught on building roofs fell later.”

The leaflets reportedly landed shortly before Yoon and Kim were set to appear with Duda and his wife, raising concerns that any delay could have disrupted the welcome ceremony.

Staff in formal attire quickly retrieved the palm-sized leaflets from the lawn, ensuring that foreign dignitaries did not see them.

According to the military, North Korea released the balloons around 2:30 AM. Some of these burst, scattering leaflets around the Presidential Office grounds and nearby areas. Most of the fallen material consisted of leaflets about the size of a hand, primarily containing derogatory messages targeting Yoon and Kim.

The leaflets featured derogatory statements, including accusations that Kim wears expensive jewelry and mockery of Yoon’s judgment. The phrases included Keon Hee Kingdom, Modern-day Marie Antoinette, and comments suggesting Kim was the most influential person over Yoon Suk Yeol for three consecutive years. The leaflets also disparaged South Korean society, suggesting that people should emigrate due to low wages and unemployment. However, safety inspections revealed no hazardous or contaminating substances in the materials.

Experts suggest North Korea’s recent use of GPS devices may account for the precise targeting of the Presidential Office vicinity, allowing for more accurate positioning. They also note that increased experience with balloon launches has likely improved the accuracy of their drops.

Military authorities interpret this action as North Korea’s response to a recent announcement by South Korean intelligence agencies confirming the deployment of a large number of North Korean troops to Russia. The recent incident involving an unidentified aircraft over Pyongyang may have also contributed to this propaganda effort.

This marks the first confirmed use of balloons for leaflet distribution since North Korea began its trash balloon campaign in May. The Joint Chiefs of Staff issued a warning to North Korea, stating, “North Korea must cease these crude leaflet operations immediately” and emphasizing that “North Korea bears full responsibility for the consequences.”

Meanwhile, on Friday, North Korea reportedly began erecting barriers along the Gyeongui Line following its recent destruction of the inter-Korean road connecting the East Sea Line.

According to Voice of America, satellite images from the U.S.-based private satellite service Planet Labs show a newly constructed structure, approximately 95 meters long, on the Gyeongui Line road connecting Paju and the Kaesong Industrial Complex. Experts assess North Korea is fortifying its area with defensive structures linked to South Korea’s roads and railways.

A military official stated, “Our military is continuously tracking and monitoring North Korea’s activities, including mine-laying and structure installation near the Military Demarcation Line (MDL),” they also monitor similar developments along the Gyeongui Line.