North Korea and South Korea have been divided since the end of the violence of the Korean War in 1953. The border runs roughly along the 38th parallel, with the nations separated by a demilitarized zone, known as the DMZ. Ironically, on each side of the DMZ lies the largest concentration of opposing armed forces anywhere in the world, separating two nations still technically at war, and still suffering occasional violent hostilities.

In the decades since the war and particularly in the last several years, thousands of North Koreans have made their way to South Korea. Today some of them are spearheading efforts to change North Korea toward democracy.

One method they use is to send large balloons carrying leaflets, socks, CDs and money from near the border in the South … into North Korea.