South Korea suspends military agreement with North Korea over garbage balloons

South Korea is planning to suspend its military agreement with North Korea because Pyongyang recently sent balloons filled with garbage to its southern neighbor.

The country’s Cabinet Council on Tuesday gave the green light to a proposal to cancel the entire 2018 agreement between the two countries, The Associated Press reported. The cancellation will officially take effect after South Korea sends a formal notification.

“The responsibility for this situation lies solely with North Korea,” said Cho Chang-rae, South Korea’s deputy defense minister, according to AP. “If North Korea launches further provocations, our military, combined with the solid defense posture of South Korea and the United States, will punish North Korea quickly, harshly and to the end.”

The impending end of the 2018 agreement, which required both countries to cease all aggressive actions at the border, came after North Korea sent balloons filled with garbage and excrement to South Korea last week. The balloons carried waste ranging from paper to cigarette butts.

The South Korean military said it had found more than 700 balloons late last week, after tracking 260 more earlier in the week.

North Korea said on Sunday it would stop sending balloons after Seoul said it would face an “unbearable” response to Pyongyang’s campaign.

Kim Kang II, North Korea’s deputy defense minister, said his country had launched balloons into space in response to the South’s alleged leaflet campaign, which included messages critical of the country’s leadership.

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