South Korea once stood out as a shining example of how to contain the coronavirus spread. But with the country easing restrictions, that image seems to be fading away.

Health experts have warned of a second possible coronavirus outbreak in South Korea due to increasing violation of social distancing norms and easing of COVID-19 rules.&nbsp;

In the last 48 hours, the country also reported 95 new cases and &nbsp;2 deaths. But that's not the only threat on the Korean peninsula.

Meanwhile, tensions between the two Koreas are on the rise once again.

The trigger this time? Balloons!

For years, huge balloons have been floated into North Korea by South Korean activists. These balloons carry leaflets that criticize the North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong-un.

But there is no space for dissent in North Korea. This is a well-known fact.

Those who don't toe the line, face the consequences. Defectors are shot down leaders are worshipped.

So even innocent-looking balloons can escalate tensions. North Korea has now cut off all cross-border communication lines with South Korea.

Calling it "the first step of the determination to completely shut down all contact means with South Korea".

North Korea says South Korea has failed to stop activists from floating such anti-Pyongyang leaflets across the border.

Today, one of the top South Korean security officials urged defectors to stop sending leaflets and goods to North Korea.&nbsp;

South Korea's deputy director of the national security council, Kim you-Geun, saying: "The government will begin strictly controlling activities such as leafleting and sending goods to North Korea and respond strictly to violations in accordance with the law. We hope that private organizations would strictly follow relevant domestic laws."

These balloons have been floated for years. So why would they irk North Korea this much all of a sudden? Experts say &nbsp;North Korea is only trying to signal its frustration.

First, the failed talks with the United States over the crippling sanctions. And now, the coronavirus pandemic which has forced North Korea to shut its border with its biggest trading partner, China.

After the US state department said it was disappointed at North Korea for its decision to suspend communication lines with South Korea.

North Korea fired back, Pyongyang has said the US has no standing to comment on inter-Korean affairs.

Not just that, it issued an open threat. Saying it is in Washington's interest to stay quiet if it wants the upcoming US presidential election to go smoothly.

The North Korean state news agency KCNA quoted Kwon Jong Gun, the director-general for US affairs at North Korea's foreign ministry as saying, "If the US pokes its nose into others’ affairs with careless remarks, far from minding its internal affairs, at a time when its political situation is in the worst-ever confusion, it may encounter an unpleasant thing hard to deal with.”

As per the North Korean official. America should “hold its tongue” and address its domestic problems unless it wants to “experience a hair-raiser”.

What exactly the hair-raiser would be no one knows. Perhaps not even North Korea.

But at this point with tensions ballooning the idea of peace on the Korean peninsula continues to drift away. 
&nbsp;

South Korea once stood out as a shining example of how to contain the coronavirus spread. But with the country easing restrictions, that image seems to be fading away.

South Korea once stood out as a shining example of how to contain the coronavirus spread. But with the country easing restrictions, that image seems to be fading away. Health experts have warned of a second possible coronavirus outbreak in South Korea due to increasing violation of social distancing norms and easing of COVID-19 rules. In the last 48 hours, the country also reported 95 new cases and 2 deaths. But that's not the only threat on the Korean peninsula. Meanwhile, tensions between the two Koreas are on the rise once again. The trigger this time? Balloons! For years, huge balloons have been floated into North Korea by South Korean activists. These balloons carry leaflets that criticize the North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong-un. But there is no space for dissent in North Korea. This is a well-known fact. Those who don't toe the line, face the consequences. Defectors are shot down leaders are worshipped. So even innocent-looking balloons can escalate tensions. North Korea has now cut off all cross-border communication lines with South Korea. Calling it "the first step of the determination to completely shut down all contact means with South Korea". North Korea says South Korea has failed to stop activists from floating such anti-Pyongyang leaflets across the border. Today, one of the top South Korean security officials urged defectors to stop sending leaflets and goods to North Korea. South Korea's deputy director of the national security council, Kim you-Geun, saying: "The government will begin strictly controlling activities such as leafleting and sending goods to North Korea and respond strictly to violations in accordance with the law. We hope that private organizations would strictly follow relevant domestic laws." These balloons have been floated for years. So why would they irk North Korea this much all of a sudden? Experts say North Korea is only trying to signal its frustration. First, the failed talks with the United States over the crippling sanctions. And now, the coronavirus pandemic which has forced North Korea to shut its border with its biggest trading partner, China. After the US state department said it was disappointed at North Korea for its decision to suspend communication lines with South Korea. North Korea fired back, Pyongyang has said the US has no standing to comment on inter-Korean affairs. Not just that, it issued an open threat. Saying it is in Washington's interest to stay quiet if it wants the upcoming US presidential election to go smoothly. The North Korean state news agency KCNA quoted Kwon Jong Gun, the director-general for US affairs at North Korea's foreign ministry as saying, "If the US pokes its nose into others’ affairs with careless remarks, far from minding its internal affairs, at a time when its political situation is in the worst-ever confusion, it may encounter an unpleasant thing hard to deal with.” As per the North Korean official. America should “hold its tongue” and address its domestic problems unless it wants to “experience a hair-raiser”. What exactly the hair-raiser would be no one knows. Perhaps not even North Korea. But at this point with tensions ballooning the idea of peace on the Korean peninsula continues to drift away.

Amid pandemic, tensions escalate between North Korea and South Korea

North Korean Foreign Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-backs-north-korea-amid-deadlocked-nuclear-talks-247322">Ri Yong Ho</a> has been replaced, Seoul-based NK News reported on Saturday.

Ri's replacement has not been identified but <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-sanctions-companies-linked-to-exploiting-north-korean-overseas-labour-274281">Pyongyang</a> is set to reveal his successor about next Thursday, the report said, citing unnamed sources.

South Korea's unification ministry, which is in charge of North Korea affairs, has said that any change in Ri's status should be assessed cautiously.

Born in 1956, Ri is the son of Ri Myong Je, former deputy director of the Organization and Guidance Department (OGD), a shadowy body within the ruling Workers’ Party that oversees the appointment of management positions within the state, according to the South Korean unification ministry.

His father was also an editor at the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the state media body that publishes Pyongyang’s propaganda statements.

A fluent English speaker who studied at Pyongyang’s prestigious University of Foreign Languages, Ri has for years held a number of high-level posts dealing with the West.

From 2003 to 2007, he was North Korea’s ambassador in London and served as vice foreign minister, representing North Korea at six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear program.

Ri did not attend the annual gathering of world leaders at the United Nations in September. He had attended the high-level meeting in New York for three years from 2016 to 2018.

North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho has been replaced, Seoul-based NK News reported on Saturday. Ri's replacement has not been identified but Pyongyang is set to reveal his successor about next Thursday, the report said, citing unnamed sources.

North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho has been replaced, Seoul-based NK News reported on Saturday. Ri's replacement has not been identified but Pyongyang is set to reveal his successor about next Thursday, the report said, citing unnamed sources. South Korea's unification ministry, which is in charge of North Korea affairs, has said that any change in Ri's status should be assessed cautiously. Born in 1956, Ri is the son of Ri Myong Je, former deputy director of the Organization and Guidance Department (OGD), a shadowy body within the ruling Workers’ Party that oversees the appointment of management positions within the state, according to the South Korean unification ministry. His father was also an editor at the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the state media body that publishes Pyongyang’s propaganda statements. A fluent English speaker who studied at Pyongyang’s prestigious University of Foreign Languages, Ri has for years held a number of high-level posts dealing with the West. From 2003 to 2007, he was North Korea’s ambassador in London and served as vice foreign minister, representing North Korea at six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear program. Ri did not attend the annual gathering of world leaders at the United Nations in September. He had attended the high-level meeting in New York for three years from 2016 to 2018.

North Korean foreign minister replaced: Sources

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Amid pandemic, tensions escalate between North Korea and South Korea

North Korean foreign minister replaced: Sources