What Compensation Is There If Injured by North Korea's Sewage Balloons? Local Governments and Military Say "There Is No Way"

No Legal Compensation Measures Yet
Expert: "Leaflets Will Keep Flying... Measures Need to Be Taken"

It has been revealed that there is no institutional mechanism to compensate for injuries or property damage caused by filth balloons or leaflet bundles dispersed by North Korea.

On the morning of the 2nd, the front windshield of a passenger car in the parking lot of a villa in Ansan-si, Gyeonggi, where a North Korean waste balloon fell, was damaged. /Online community

According to local governments including Seoul on the 2nd, each municipality has a 'Citizen Safety Insurance' fund established to support citizens affected by disasters. However, this only applies to cases of damage caused by social disasters as defined by the 'Framework Act on the Management of Disasters and Safety.' Even then, since it is a special contract, it is uncertain whether damage caused by leaflet bundles can be recognized as a disaster.

A military official also stated, "Not all North Korea-related issues are handled by the military," adding, "Compensation for damage related to leaflets is outside the scope of military duties."

Waste balloon released from North Korea [Image source=Yonhap News]

The government prepared an amendment to the Civil Defense Basic Act in April 2021, which included grounds for the state or local governments to compensate for citizens' property damage caused by enemy infiltration or provocations. However, this was halted at the legislative notice stage.

Because of this, currently there is no way to handle such cases other than insurance purchased by individuals. An insurance industry official said, "If you do not want your premiums to increase, there is a way to claim subrogation from the insurance company, but since there is no precedent, it is uncertain whether this is possible."

Experts agree that since North Korea is likely to continue sending filth balloons, prompt measures must be taken.

There have been occasional cases of damage caused by leaflets sent by North Korea in the past. On the 29th of last month, the roofs of vinyl greenhouses across the country were pierced by filth balloons. In 2016, filth balloons sent from North Korea fell in the Goyang-si area, damaging parked vehicles.