On the evening of the 28th, emergency disaster text messages were sent to some residents in parts of Gyeonggi and Seoul. The messages warned, “Identification of unidentified objects suspected to be North Korean propaganda leaflets. Please refrain from outdoor activities and report to the military if identified.”
Emergency disaster text messages are sent when a national crisis arises. These include situations such as an air raid warning, a border alert, or a chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) alert being issued or lifted, or when an earthquake of magnitude 6.0 or higher occurs.
The reason for the emergency disaster text message that night was that North Korea had launched objects suspected to be propaganda leaflets toward South Korea.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff notified the press corps, stating, “Unidentified objects suspected to be North Korean propaganda leaflets have been identified in the border areas of Gyeonggi and Gangwon. The military is taking action. Citizens are asked to refrain from outdoor activities, avoid contact with unidentified objects, and report them to the nearest military unit or police.”
Many citizens were alarmed to receive the emergency disaster text message. One resident of Pyeongtaek in Gyeonggi Province commented, “Why are they doing this because of leaflets? Why would they fly to Pyeongtaek? It’s the first time I’ve been so surprised because of leaflets in my 40 years of life.” Another member expressed, “I was genuinely scared, thinking a war had started.”
Some people online expressed concern about the lack of security awareness among citizens. One individual pointed out, “We should always be prepared. Looking at the comments, the level of security consciousness is too low.”
Earlier, Kim Kang Il, a North Korean Defense Ministry official, stated in a speech published through the Korean Central News Agency on the 26th, “Lately, South Korea’s despicable psychological warfare of scattering leaflets and various filthy items in our border areas has been prominently emerging.” He warned that they would respond in kind to the frequent scattering of leaflets and littering in the border areas. He threatened, “Numerous toilet paper and garbage bags will soon be scattered in the South Korean border and terminal areas, and they will experience how much effort it takes to collect them.”
In response, the Joint Chiefs of Staff said, “North Korea has previously engaged in lowly acts such as sending balloons filled with trash in 2016.” They urged citizens, “If you find an object in the air that looks like a North Korean balloon, please report it to the military or police.” The Joint Chiefs also warned that plastic bags containing leaflets could flow into the Han River estuary, advising, “If you find a suspicious object, do not touch it and report it immediately.”
Most Commented