October 13, 2014 09:53
North Korea in a wire message to Cheong Wa Dae on Saturday warned it has launched a military operation to "annihilate" the source of propaganda leaflets being floated across the border by activists here.
The message came a day after the North fired heavy machine guns at helium balloons carrying the leaflets. They had been launched by two activist groups and carried leaflets denouncing the North Korean regime, US$1 bills, mini radios and other items.
A senior government source here on Sunday said North Korea's National Defense Commission wired the warning message to the presidential National Security Council to protest against the leaflets and express its determination to stop them.
It is unclear what North Korea has in mind in order to "annihilate" the source of the propaganda leaflets.
The government initially kept the North Korean message under wraps, apparently for fear of straining inter-Korean relations ahead of high-level talks scheduled for late this month or early November.
On Sunday, a North Korean spokesman also threatened "crushing physical blows of higher intensity" should the leaflets continue to be flown into the North.
The spokesman added the North has launched a military operation to destroy the balloons and break up attempts to distribute the leaflets.
The government here believes the North will probably confine itself to shooting down the balloons rather than risk actually firing across the border at the activists.
On Friday, shots were reportedly heard just across the border in other parts of North Korea where propaganda leaflets were flown.
- Copyright © Chosunilbo & Chosun.com