"A Gray Object Falls from the Sky"... Reports Continue in the Seoul Metropolitan Area Following North Korea's Resumption of Trash Balloons

A Total of 3 Cases Reported in Icheon, Gunpo, and Suwon

North Korea has resumed sending filth balloons toward South Korea, leading to a series of related reports in the southern Gyeonggi region.

According to the Gyeonggi Southern Provincial Police Agency and the Gyeonggi Fire and Disaster Headquarters, at 6:06 a.m. on the 9th, a report was received from Inhuri, Sindun-myeon, Icheon-si, stating that "a white balloon has fallen in a field." Police and fire authorities who responded to the scene confirmed two filth balloons directed at South Korea and handed them over to the military authorities.

At 5:39 a.m., near a large mart in Bugok-dong, Gunpo-si, a report was received that "gray paper-like objects are falling from the sky." Although no filth balloons were found at the scene, leaflets directed at North Korea were confirmed.

At 5:27 a.m., a report was also received from Dangsudong, Gwonseon-gu, Suwon-si, stating that "paper fell from the sky." No filth balloons were found here either, only leaflets directed at North Korea.

No casualties or property damage have been reported from these incidents.

A balloon sent by North Korea to South Korea fell on a road in Geumchon-dong, Paju-si, Gyeonggi Province, on the morning of the 9th. [Image source=Yonhap News, provided by a reader]

On the evening of the 8th at 11:09 p.m., Gyeonggi Province sent a safety alert message stating, "North Korea is again sending filth balloons toward South Korea. Please be cautious of falling objects and report any filth balloons found to military units or the police."

Previously, North Korea sent filth balloons twice, from the 28th to 29th of last month and from the 1st to 2nd of this month, citing the distribution of leaflets by domestic civilian groups as a pretext. Approximately 1,000 balloons were found nationwide.

Gyeonggi Province and military authorities are strengthening surveillance in preparation for possible additional provocations by North Korea and are urging residents to remain vigilant.