Defectors send balloons carrying anti-N. Korea leaflets across DMZ

North Korean defectors floated nine balloons filled with anti-Pyongyang leaflets across the demilitarized zone (DMZ) on Sunday as Pyongyang celebrated the 64th anniversary of the communist country's founding.

The balloons carried 200,000 leaflets that blasted the hypocrisy of the Kim Jong-un leadership and caricatures ridiculing North Korea's oppressive dictatorial rule that has been maintained since the country was founded by Kim Il-sung.

The defectors said the event also marked the second anniversary of the creation of an anti-Pyongyang organization, the North Korea People's Liberation Front.

They said one balloon was lost before crossing the DMZ, which is the land border between the two countries that are still technically at war. The Korean War (1950-53) was settled in an armistice with no peace treaty being signed by the belligerents.

Besides the leaflets, the 20 defectors from Fighters for Free North Korea and Free North Korea Radio said they sent 300 DVDs and 1,000 US$1 dollar bills in the balloons. (Yonhap)