According to Korean security officials, balloons filled with garbage sent by North Korea They hit on Wednesday to the president's office South Korea.
This is the first time the South Korean leader's office in central Seoul, protected by dozens of soldiers and a no-fly zone, has been directly hit by one of the thousands of balloons filled with garbage, fired by Pyongyang since May.
North Korea Sent Balloons to South. Hit President's Office
According to the Yonhap news agency, the president's office monitored the balloon on an ongoing basis and knew exactly where it would land.
“The military refrained from shooting down the balloons, fearing that their the contents could spread and cause more damage,” Yonhap reports.
– It's hard to handle this in the airbecause we don't know what the balloons may contain – said an official of the president's office South Korea.
“An investigation conducted by the Chemical, Biological and Radiological Response Team found that the objects did not pose a threat or contamination and were removed,” the Presidential Security Service (PSS) said.
South Korea. Balloon falls on the president's office
The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) and the Presidential Security Service reported a few days earlier that the North had once again sent balloons carrying garbage, indicating that they were likely flying toward the most populated province, Gyeonggi.
In this regard, Seoul authorities issued a warning on Wednesday morning:If you find balloons, do not touch thembut report it to the nearest military unit or police station,” the message reads.
The authorities added that it would be best if residents refrained from outdoor activities for the foreseeable future.
Tensions are growing between neighbors
This is not the first time this has happened this year. North Korea committed similar actions. At the end of May 2024, the military in Seoul reported that there were floating unidentified objects coming from the North.
In the morning they informed about detection of over 150 balloonswhich contained bags attached to them. Inside were garbage, shoes, and even feces. North Korean media reported at the time that it was a retaliation for the actions of activistswho send propaganda leaflets, food, medicine, radios and flash drives containing South Korean messages to the North.
Kim Kang II, North Korea's vice defense minister, said the southern neighbors were using “psychological warfare” and would respond. The propaganda issue has become a source of tension between the two Koreas, which are still technically at war. Both sides say such actions are unacceptable.
Sources: AFP, Reuters, Yonhap News Agency
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