N. Korean balloon dumps trash again on Seoul presidential grounds

North Korean balloon dumps trash again on Seoul presidential grounds

/ 09:46 AM October 24, 2024

North Korean balloon dumps trash again on Seoul presidential grounds

 North Korean balloons are seen from the Unification Observation Post in Paju, South Korea, near the border with North Korea, on Oct. 4, 2024. FILE PHOTO/Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea — Trash carried by a North Korean balloon fell on the presidential compound in central Seoul on Thursday, South Korean officials said.

It’s the second such case since North Korea began floating trash-carrying balloons toward South Korea since late May in a resumption of Cold War-style psychological campaign.

Article continues after this advertisement

South Korea’s presidential security service said the trash fallen on the presidential compound Thursday morning carried no dangerous items.

FEATURED STORIES

READ: Trash balloons from North Korea hit South’s presidential compound

It wasn’t immediately known whether President Yoon Suk Yeol was at the compound at the time of the North Korean balloon landing.

Article continues after this advertisement

Experts say North Korea likely lacks sophisticated technology to drop balloons on specific targets.

Article continues after this advertisement

South Korea’s Dong-A Ilbo newspaper reported earlier Thursday that North Korea’s latest balloons contained propaganda leaflets criticizing President Yoon and his wife Kim Keon Hee along with trash.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: North Korea trash balloon causes fire on Seoul building rooftop

The newspapers said the leaflets were scattered in areas in Seoul’s Yongsan district, where Yoon’s presidential office is located, and noted that North Korea has recently begun using GPS technology to drop balloons more accurately in intended locations.

Article continues after this advertisement

North Korea has earlier accused South Korea of infiltrating drones to drop propaganda leaflets over Pyongyang three times this month and threatened to respond with force if it happened again. South Korea has refused to confirm whether it sent drones but warned that North Korea would face the end of its regime if the safety of South Korean citizens is threatened.

In July, rubbish carried by at least one North Korean balloon landed on the Korean presidential compound, raising worries about the security of key South Korean facilities. South Korean officials said at the time the rubbish contained no dangerous material and no one was hurt.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

TAGS: North Korea, South Korea

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.