North Korea vows to unleash fire if South Korea drops leaflets.

On April 10, North Korea declared it would retaliate against South Korean activists if they used balloons to drop leaflets and other publications critical of the Pyongyang regime across the border between the two Koreas.

A South Korean civilian group used balloons to scatter anti-North Korean leaflets. (Source: AFP)

According to North Korea's Uriminzokkiri website, the country will "pour fire" on South Korea amid plans by South Korean activists to distribute anti-North Korean leaflets and DVDs of the American film "Interview," declaring that their patience is "running out" and that the North Korean military has targeted these activists.

Anti-North Korea activist Park Sang-hak and his group planned to launch a balloon carrying these publications on April 9, but were stopped by South Korean police.

Another activist group resumed similar actions last week, which are considered one of the main causes of tension between the two Koreas.

The South Korean Unification Ministry stated that the government cannot use force to prevent the distribution of leaflets because it is a fundamental right to freedom of speech, but argued that this should not endanger people living near the border.

Speaking at a press conference on April 10, ministry spokesperson Lim Byeong-cheol stated that the South Korean government would address the issue by balancing both aspects: ensuring basic rights and protecting the safety of citizens.

In October 2014, North Korea fired machine guns at balloons launched by activists. Some bullets landed in South Korean territory, but no one was injured.

According to VNA