North Korea Prepares 12 Million Leaflets for South Korea "A Time for Retributive Retaliation"

"Announcement of the Largest Ever Leaflet Campaign"
Concerns Over Military Clashes in the NLL Area

On the afternoon of the 21st, a North Korean patrol boat is anchored in front of Daesuyapdo, North Korea, as seen from Daeyeonpyeongdo, Ongjin-gun, Incheon.

North Korea warned on the 22nd that it has prepared 12 million anti-South leaflets and 3,000 balloons, along with other distribution means, and that a time of punishment and retaliation will soon unfold.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on the same day under the title "Torrent of Anger, the Entire People's Zeal for Retaliation Against the Enemy," stating, "Various leaflets totaling 12 million have been printed at central publishing and printing institutions," and "As of the 22nd, more than 3,000 different balloons and various distribution devices and means capable of dispersing deep into South Korea have been prepared."

The agency warned, "Preparations for the largest-ever anti-enemy leaflet distribution campaign are nearing completion," and "The time for punishment and retaliation is rapidly approaching."

KCNA also stated, "Printing factories in each province, city, and county are accelerating preparations to print millions more anti-enemy leaflets," indicating plans for additional printing.

It added, "Only after properly experiencing how troublesome and disgusting it is to clean up leaflets and filth will the habit be broken," asserting, "South Korea must bear it fully."

Furthermore, emphasizing the legitimacy of distributing anti-South leaflets, it added, "The plan for the anti-enemy leaflet distribution campaign is an unstoppable expression of nationwide and societal anger."

North Korea is actively preparing for a large-scale leaflet (propaganda leaflets) distribution targeting South Korea, according to a report by the Korean Central News Agency on the 20th. The image shows a cigarette butt being thrown onto a "leaflet" featuring President Moon Jae-in holding a cup and drinking something, with the phrase "You've eaten it all... even the inter-Korean agreement" written on it.

However, no specific timing for the distribution was mentioned. It is expected that the leaflet distribution will be carried out in border areas once approved by the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party.

There are also speculations that the leaflets might be distributed on the 25th, when the 70th anniversary of the June 25 Korean War is scheduled.

This announcement of leaflet distribution is the third measure since North Korea condemned the distribution of leaflets into the North through a statement by Kim Yo-jong, First Deputy Director of the Workers' Party, on the 4th.

North Korea cut all inter-Korean communication lines at noon on the 9th and blew up the Kaesong Inter-Korean Joint Liaison Office on the 16th.

Subsequently, the General Staff declared, "We will open areas favorable for distributing anti-South leaflets at the front and thoroughly guarantee the military support for our people's anti-South leaflet distribution campaign."

On the 20th, North Korea revealed actual anti-South leaflets containing defamatory phrases alongside an image of President Moon Jae-in, demonstrating its intention to distribute the leaflets.

In response, the Ministry of Unification immediately expressed regret, but the United Front Department of the Workers' Party of Korea emphasized the next day through a spokesperson's statement that it has no intention of changing its leaflet distribution plans.

On the afternoon of the 21st, from Daeyeonpyeongdo in Ongjin-gun, Incheon City, a location presumed to be an artillery port can be seen on North Korea's Daesuyapdo.
A military official stated that there are cases where the artillery port is opened to remove moisture, or the artillery is not positioned at the opened port, and although there are no unusual developments at present, the situation is being closely monitored.

Meanwhile, concerns are growing that accidental clashes could occur during the process of North Korean residents and soldiers advancing to border areas to distribute leaflets and South Korea's monitoring and response.

The North Korean General Staff stated on the 17th that it would "thoroughly guarantee military support for the people's anti-South leaflet distribution campaign." Armed troops carrying personal firearms are likely to enter border areas to protect residents and soldiers engaged in distribution activities. Accidental clashes could occur during the distribution process.

There are particularly strong concerns about clashes in the West Sea.

If North Korea carries out leaflet distribution at sea, it is highly likely to occur near the Northern Limit Line (NLL) in the West Sea. If North Korean fishermen and military personnel mix and approach the NLL, military confrontation between the two Koreas will be inevitable. Alternatively, North Korean vessels might unintentionally approach the NLL due to ocean currents.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.