295 Object Discovery Reports and 219 Inquiry Reports
Reports Centered in Western Seoul and Gyeonggi
More than 500 police reports have been received nationwide regarding the anti-South Korea filth balloons dispersed twice by North Korea.
On the 2nd, the National Police Agency announced that a total of 514 112 emergency calls related to the filth balloons were received from 9 p.m. on the 28th of last month to 5 a.m. on the same day. Specifically, 295 reports were about sightings of objects, and 219 were inquiries related to disaster text messages and other related matters.
North Korea dispersed about 260 balloons filled with filth and trash such as cigarette butts, waste paper, and plastic on the 28th and 29th of last month, and again released filth balloons toward the South from 8 p.m. the previous day.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff announced that about 600 filth balloons were identified in the metropolitan area as of the morning of that day.
From the night of the second dispersal by North Korea to the morning of the following day, reports were concentrated in the western areas of Seoul, including Yangcheon-gu, Yeongdeungpo-gu, and Mapo-gu. Around 9 p.m. the previous day, anti-South leaflets were also found scattered at the professor research building on the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies campus in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul.
In Gyeonggi Province, reports continued from areas such as Goyang, Paju, Bucheon, and Anyang, and in Incheon from Michuhol-gu, Bupyeong-gu, Seo-gu, and Jung-gu. Additionally, reports of sightings of filth balloons were received from areas outside the metropolitan area, including Hongcheon and Wonju in Gangwon Province, and Yecheon and Andong in North Gyeongsang Province.
The police and fire departments immediately dispatched personnel upon receiving reports to preserve the scene and take initial measures, while the military collected the balloons and their debris for detailed analysis by relevant agencies. The Seoul Metropolitan Government is operating a 24-hour situation room in coordination with the Capital Defense Command, Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, and Seoul Fire & Disaster Headquarters to monitor and respond in real time.
A Seoul city official urged, "When discovering North Korean anti-South leaflets or contaminated balloons, please promptly report to the military, police, or other relevant authorities and refrain from contact for safety."
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