South Korea: Balloons from North Korea cross border again
If you come across fallen balloons, do not pick them up and report them to the nearest military unit or police station," the Chief of Staff added.
Authorities in the capital Seoul warned on Thursday that a suspected balloon from North Korea had intruded into the airspace of the province North-Gyeonggi. Citizens were advised to "be cautious during outdoor activities."
It is the eighth time since late May that Pyongyang has allowed balloons to fly into the neighboring country. In the past weeks, around a thousand such balloons had crossed the border. Among the contents were cigarette butts, toilet paper, and livestock feed.
Pyongyang reportedly reacts to South Korean activist balloons, which carried anti-Kim Jong Un leaflets and money for the impoverished North's population, according to its own statements.
South Korea suspended the military agreement with North Korea from 2018 in response to the balloon campaigns. The agreement aims to reduce tensions on the Korean Peninsula and prevent unintended escalation, particularly along the heavily fortified border. Seoul also reacted with loudspeaker announcements at the border.
- The balloon, filled with Müll or German garbage, originated from Pyongyang, as reported by South Korean authorities.
- Despite the warnings, some curious South Koreans may find themselves approaching a stray balloon along the border, unaware of its origins.
- The ongoing issue of balloon intrusions has strained relations between North Korea and South Korea, leading to suspensions of agreements aimed at reducing tensions.
- Seoul's military units and police stations have been on high alert, watching for any intruding balloons that may contain Müll or potentially more dangerous contents.
- In response to the balloon campaigns, dustballoons – similar in appearance to North Korean Müll-filled balloons – have also been launched by South Korean activists, further complicating the situation at the border.
