Six Americans Detained in South Korea for Sending Messages to North Korea
SEOUL, South Korea — Six American citizens were taken into custody on Friday for attempting to send 1,600 plastic bottles towards North Korea. These bottles contained rice, miniature Bibles, $1 bills, and USB sticks, according to local police.
The Americans were caught on Gwanghwa Island, where they were about to release the bottles into the sea, hoping the ocean currents would carry them to North Korean shores. Local police are investigating whether they violated laws related to safety and disaster management. The identities of the detainees have not been disclosed due to privacy regulations.
Police mentioned they have yet to discover the contents of the USB sticks. Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy in South Korea did not issue an immediate public statement regarding the situation.
Activists have long engaged in similar activities, often sending plastic bottles or balloons across the border filled with propaganda or cultural items such as K-Pop songs and dramas. From 2021 to 2023, these practices were banned amid concerns that they might exacerbate tensions with North Korea.
In response to previous efforts, North Korea has reacted with harsh words and even launched its own balloons filled with trash into South Korean territory, including the area around the presidential compound.
In a recent ruling, South Korea’s Constitutional Court overturned a law that made it illegal to send leaflets and other materials to North Korea, labeling it as an unnecessary limitation on free speech. However, the new administration under President Lee Jae Myung is now looking to implement stricter measures regarding such civilian initiatives to prevent rising tensions with the North and ensure the safety of those living near the border.
Just days after taking office, President Lee’s government detained an activist for allegedly sending balloons toward North Korea. Lee has expressed a commitment to resuming stalled talks with North Korea and establishing peace on the peninsula. His administration has also halted loudspeaker broadcasts aimed at North Korea, a move intended to ease military tensions.
Despite these actions, it remains uncertain whether North Korea will reciprocate with any positive gestures. The North has previously abandoned the idea of peaceful reunification and official talks between the two Koreas have been stalled since 2019, when diplomatic efforts concerning North Korean denuclearization came to a halt.
