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Transcript/Script((PLAYBOOK SLUG: Koreas Border Tension TVR
HEADLINE: North, South Korea Wage Psychological Warfare Amid Tensions
TEASER: Two Koreas exchange poop-filled balloons and propaganda
PUBLISHED: Wednesday, 06/12/2024 at 9:20am
BYLINE: William Gallo
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Seoul, South Korea
VIDEOGRAPHER: Gallo
PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: pcd
VIDEO SOURCES: VOA, AFP, Reuters, ROK MND, Park Sang-hak
PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV _x_ RADIO _X_
TRT: 2:39
VID APPROVED BY: MAS
TYPE: TVPKG
UPDATE:))
((INTRO))
[[Inter-Korean relations have sunk to their lowest level in years, as both countries intensify cross-border psychological warfare. The developments began with North Korea sending waste-filled balloons into the South. VOA’s Bill Gallo has more details from near the Korean border…]]
((Mandatory courtesy: South Korea MND))
((NARRATOR))
South Korea’s military is tracking not missiles, but balloons.
North Korea has sent thousands in waves scattering trash across the South. And in some cases, dropping feces.
((Mandatory courtesy: Park Sang-hak))
It’s a symbolic protest against South Korean activists who send forbidden materials into the North.
For North Korea’s leaders, any unapproved content is an existential threat.
[[RADIO line here]]
((Chad O’Carroll, Founder NK News)) ((English, male voice))
“Outside information is really ideological contamination, it's like a cancer. And it's a serious Achilles heel for Kim Jong Un.”
((NARRATOR))
That weakness is being exploited by South Korea, which is now blaring propaganda across the border.
Those loudspeakers were last used six years ago.
North Korea, seen here in the distance, has installed its own speakers – a tit-for-tat escalation.
Though all is quiet for now, many residents are concerned.
[[radio into here]]
((Nam Sung-jun, Gimpo resident)) ((In Korean, male voice))
"People are anxious. And I served in the military, so I also think about how much trouble soldiers on the frontlines are going through right now.”
[[radio intro here]]
((Sung Mo-ran, Seoul resident)) ((In Korean, female voice))
"It's stupid to resort to doing the same thing as the other person. I hope we can sit down soon and talk to each other.”
((NARRATOR))
In 2020, North Korea destroyed this inter-Korean office as part of a backlash against South Korean leaflets.
North Korea has also fired toward loudspeakers in the past.
[[Need intro here]]
((Ret. Gen. Kim Byung-joo, South Korean lawmaker)) ((In Korean, male voice))
“The two Koreas are playing a game of chicken, like a runaway train. We keep doing this power-for-power confrontation. I’m very worried about tensions on the Korean Peninsula.”
But the leaflet launches are unlikely to stop. Some activists appear emboldened.
[[Radio intro here]]
((Pastor Eric Foley, Voice of the Martyrs Korea)) ((English, male voice))
“For balloon launchers that rely on a lot of reporters coming out to a preannounced launch, this is a boon for them.”
((NARRATOR))
Pastor Eric Foley operates more quietly, sending Bibles to what he says are North Korea's underground Christians. He disputes the idea that tensions would improve if the launches stopped.
((Pastor Eric Foley, Voice of the Martyrs Korea)) ((English, male voice))
“That kind of trickle-down view on human rights hasn't proven to be effective so far. It hasn’t proven to improve relations between the two countries or improve the situation of North Koreans.”
((NARRATOR))
For now, inter-Korean interaction amounts to exchanges of poop-filled balloons and propaganda. A depressing low point that many fear could soon get lower.
((Bill Gallo, VOA News, Paju, South Korea))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
Subtitles / Dubbing AvailableNo
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateJune 12, 2024 09:21 EDT
BylineWilliam Gallo
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
