U.S. Congress Holds UFO Hearing for the First Time in 50 Years: "There Have Been 400 Unidentified Aerial Phenomena"

However, it was revealed that there is no evidence that UFOs have a 'non-terrestrial origin'

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] As the U.S. Congress held a public hearing on unidentified flying objects (UFOs) for the first time in over 50 years, the Department of Defense revealed that it has identified about 400 cases of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP).

The House Intelligence Committee's Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Counterintelligence held a hearing on the 17th (local time) with Ronald Moultrie, Deputy Secretary of Defense, and Scott Bray, Deputy Director of Naval Intelligence, to listen to the investigation status regarding the truth behind UAP. UAP is a term used by the U.S. military instead of UFO, and authorities have maintained a cautious stance on the existence of UAP until now.

This is the first time in over 50 years since the U.S. Air Force concluded the "Project Blue Book" in 1970, which investigated the impact of UFOs on national security, that the U.S. Congress has held a hearing on unidentified flying objects or phenomena.

At the hearing, Deputy Director Bray stated that the number of UAP cases has increased to 400 according to the newly formed task force's investigation results. Previously, the Department of Defense and other intelligence agencies submitted a 9-page analysis report to Congress in June last year regarding UAP. According to the report, among 144 UAPs observed from military aircraft over 17 years since 2004, only one was identified as a balloon, and the rest were classified as unidentified.

However, there is no evidence that these flying phenomena are caused by so-called "aliens." Deputy Director Bray testified at the hearing, "The task force does not have any material evidence suggesting that UAPs have an extraterrestrial origin."

The hearing also revealed, for the first time, declassified videos of UAPs. Bray referred to them as "spherical objects" and testified, "We do not have an explanation for what these objects are."

Deputy Secretary Moultrie, who is responsible for the investigation, emphasized, "We know that our military personnel have encountered unidentified aerial phenomena," and added, "Since UAPs pose potential risks to general security and flight safety, we will focus efforts on identifying their origins." Regarding information disclosure, he explained, "The Department of Defense is fully committed to the principles of transparency and accountability to the American people," but also noted, "We are mindful of the obligation to protect sensitive information." Subcommittee Chair Andre Carson pointed out during the hearing that "UAPs remain unexplained but are real," criticizing the Department of Defense for being negligent in investigating them.