This morning, 24 gas-filled balloons floated across the demilitarised zone that separates the two countries. It carried leaflets against the ruling dynasty in Pyongyang, one-dollar bills, small radios and DVDs. An angry North Korea wants this practice banned. South Korea counters that it is a matter of "freedom of expression".

Seoul (AsiaNews/Agencies) - South Korean activists said they launched more than a million anti-regime leaflets across the intra-Korean border today.

As well as messages condemning the North's ruling Kim dynasty, the packages contained leaflets, one dollar US notes, small radios and DVDs.

The leaflets were in bundles attached to 24 gas-filled balloons that floated over the heavily militarised frontier shortly after midnight, around 60 kilometres north of Seoul.

This practice has been going on for several years, and on several occasions, North Korea has accused the South that it was stoking tensions. In its defence, South Korea has insisted that it is unable to prohibit the launches since they are a matter of freedom of expression.

Two weeks ago, North Korean border guards attempted to shoot down some balloons launched by the group, triggering a brief exchange of heavy machine gun fire across the border.

"We staged a quiet operation today because excessive publicity is not good for our humanitarian mission to help our North Korean brothers," said Lee Min-bok, leader of the group that organised the launch.

"They are a matter related to the freedom of expression, so we have no legal grounds to control or restrict them," said Defence Ministry spokesman Wi Yong-seob.

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