Over 100 Fallen in Northern Gyeonggi and Seoul Areas
North Korea released about 250 filth balloons toward the south on the night of the 25th, with around 100 of them falling in northern Gyeonggi Province and Seoul. It is known that there have been no damages such as property destruction caused by the balloon drops so far.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff stated on the 26th, "The contents of the balloons are mostly paper scraps, similar to the balloons sent on the 24th, and there were no harmful substances." They added, "However, since the payload weight of the balloons can reach up to 10 kg, the balloons could be dangerous if they suddenly descend," urging the public to be cautious.
North Korea has sent filth balloons southward six times this year in response to the leaflet distribution by defector groups. From the 28th of last month to the 9th of this month, they released balloons containing trash four times, and as the leaflet distribution by defector groups continued, they sent filth balloons on the nights of the 24th and 25th consecutively.
Kim Yo-jong, Deputy Director of the Workers' Party of North Korea, mentioned the leaflet distribution by defector groups on the 21st, warning, "Since they repeated what we told them not to do, it is natural that unnecessary tasks arise," thereby foreshadowing the release of filth balloons.
The military responded on the 9th, when North Korea's filth balloon releases continued, by broadcasting anti-North Korea messages using some fixed loudspeakers in the border area, but has not operated the loudspeakers since then.
Despite North Korea’s fifth filth balloon release on the night of the 24th, no harmful substances were found and there was no damage on our side, so the loudspeakers were not used. However, as North Korea sent filth balloons again and even conducted a ballistic missile launch test on the morning of the 26th, the military’s response is drawing attention.
On the morning of the 26th, around 5:30 a.m., North Korea launched a ballistic missile from the Pyongyang area toward the East Sea, which flew approximately 250 km. The military believes North Korea attempted a hypersonic missile test launch but failed.
A Joint Chiefs of Staff official said, "We are ready to immediately conduct psychological warfare broadcasts against the North," adding, "We will implement them flexibly depending on strategic and operational situations, and it depends on North Korea’s actions."
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