North Korean defectors to South launch anti-Pyongyang leaflets over the border (VIDEO)
PAJU, SOUTH KOREA – FEBRUARY 16: North Korean defectors, now living in South Korea, release balloons carrying propaganda leaflets denouncing North Korea’s nuclear test at Imjingak, near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on February 16, 2013 in Paju, South Korea. February 16 is late leader Kim Jong-Il’s birthday and defectors dare to launch the balloons today, to denouce the nuclear test. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)
North Korean defectors to the South launched over 200,000 anti-Pyongyang leaflets over the border on February 16th, marking what would have been the late Dear Leader Kim Jong-Il's 71st birthday, which is celebrated as a national holiday.
The protestors used balloons filled with gas to float the leaflets over to the border town of Imjingak, and included $1 US bills in the packaging, wrote Sky News Asia.
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The leaflets included statements such as "Stop provocative acts with missiles and nuclear tests," "North Koreans rise up" and "The Kim dynasty will soon collapse," Sky News added.
The leaflet protests came to a temporary halt during the South Korean elections, AFP notes, in an effort to avoid "provoking" Pyongyang.
In North Korea, meanwhile, the momentous birthday was marked by a synchronized swimming performance, as reports the International Business Times. February 16th has been designated the "Day of the Shining Star" to commemorate the deceased leader.
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Kim Jong-Il died in December of 2011, and was succeeded by his son, Kim Jong-Un.
The peaceful protest comes only days after the February 12th North Korean nuclear test, which has drawn widespread international condemnation.
A source indicated to Reuters on February 16th that North Korea has threatened more nuclear tests if the US does not cease its opposition towards the Kim dynasty.
"It's all ready. A fourth and fifth nuclear test and a rocket launch could be conducted soon, possibly this year," the source told Reuters of North Korea's alleged plans to force the US into diplomatic talks.
Here's video of Kim Jong-Il's celebratory birthday synchronized swimming from a previous year: