▲ The professors at Graduate School of Global Peace and Unification The Graduate School of Global Peace and Unification was newly established at Kookmin University (KMU) this September. It aims to train students to become experts in resolving international conflicts arising from regional, religious, and racial tensions and to contribute to peace and unification on the Korean Peninsula. North Korea’s provocative balloon attacks against the South began at the end of May. In light of recent news, the distinguished faculty of the Graduate School of Global Peace and Unification have gathered to discuss the motivations behind North Korea's actions.

Q1: Why do you think North Korea started launching waste- filled balloons?

●  Professor Nam Kwang-Gyu: North Korea has been consistently launching waste-filled balloons across the entire region of South Korea as a new form of provocation since May. To date, more than 30 balloons have been launched, carrying various types of waste, including discarded electrical wires, manure, old paper, cigarette butts, and Chinese-made discarded batteries. While North Korea claims it started this in response to the leaflet campaigns by South Korean civic groups, we should not overlook the possibility that these retaliatory provocations may serve as a pretext for military actions and could potentially be simulations for striking military targets using balloon launches.

● Vice Dean Yeo Hyun-Chul: The primary goal of North Korea’s waste balloon launches is to provoke internal discord within South Korea. Our society is currently divided between those emphasizing the importance of freedom of expression and those prioritizing public safety. North Korea may be aiming to incite internal conflicts in South Korea with the expectation that it could lead to a shift in South Korea’s policy toward the North.

Q2: How can we explain the facts surrounding these balloon launches between North and South Korea?

● Professor Lee Soo-Seok: North Korea’s provocations began at the end of May, citing leaflet launches by South Korean civic groups as the reason. These waste-filled balloons spread across the country, becoming both a security and social issue. After initial waste-filled attacks, the content shifted to everyday trash.

● Professor Nam Kwang-Gyu: North Korea has continued these new forms of provocations by releasing waste-filled balloons across South Korea. More than 30 incidents have been reported, involving various types of waste. These balloon launches have caused disruptions, including GPS signal interference for ferries and fishing boats in areas like Baengnyeong Island and Yeonpyeong Island, flight operation disruptions, and damage to cars, houses, and greenhouses.

Q3: How has the international community, including nearby Asian countries (Japan, China, Singapore, Hong Kong, etc.), reacted to North Korea’s waste-filled balloon provocations?

● Professor Lee Soo-Seok: The international community is more concerned with North Korea’s uranium enrichment facilities, intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) bases, and missile launches than with the waste balloons. The primary fear is that North Korea’s provocations could escalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula, potentially leading to military conflict. Such crises would have significant implications for the economies of nearby Asian countries and affect international economic cooperation. 

● Professor Nam Kwang-Gyu: The United Nations (UN) has expressed concern over the heightened tensions on the peninsula, stating that “heightened tensions only increase the risk in an already heavily armed region.” The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has also condemned such provocations. 

4: What is the South Korean government’s current response, and what political and administrative directions should it take to ensure national security?

● Professor Lee Soo-Seok: Recently, North Korea has been showcasing its military power through nuclear facility disclosures and ICBM tests. South Korea must demonstrate a robust defense posture and security response capabilities. With Trump’s recent election as U.S. president, new policies toward North Korea are anticipated, and South Korea should coordinate with the U.S. to pursue stability and peace on the peninsula.

● Dean Kim Byung-Joon: How can we move beyond the history of conflict and confrontation between the two Koreas to achieve reconciliation and a new era of co-prosperity?

● Vice Dean Yeo Hyun-Chul: We need to draw from historical cases of reconciliation to create methods for peaceful co-existence. It is also vital to advocate for the universal rights of humanity and pursue a thorough study to promote public diplomacy for unification.

The waste balloon attacks from North Korea, which began in May this year, go beyond mere provocation, presenting environmental concerns and causing significant disruption to the daily lives of South Korean citizens. Professors from KMU’ s Graduate School of Global Peace and Unification highlighted that these actions aim to provoke psychological unrest, test South Korea’s security measures, and incite internal divisions. The faculty stressed the need for strong defense responses, coordination with international allies, and the promotion of strategies for reconcilia- tion and peace, drawing on historical lessons.