Spraying Again After Four Days Since the 18th
10 Out of 22 Times Concentrated This Month
North Korea has released trash balloons again. This marks the 10th time this month alone that North Korea has frequently released trash balloons whenever the north wind blows.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff announced on the 23rd, “It has been confirmed that North Korea released about 120 trash balloons from the evening of the previous day until the morning of this day, and currently there are no trash balloons floating in the air. About 30 trash balloons fell in Seoul and the Gyeonggi-do area.”
On the 23rd, an object presumed to be a North Korean waste balloon was observed in the air above the Sejongno intersection in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@
The trash balloons found that day mostly contained paper, vinyl, plastic bottles, and other household waste, and it has been confirmed that there are no harmful substances. North Korea’s release of trash balloons targeting the South resumed after four days since the 18th. Previously, North Korea had released trash balloons as a 'countermeasure action' in response to leaflets sent by South Korean civilian groups since the end of May, but had suspended this for nearly a month since the 10th of last month.
However, North Korea has been intensively releasing trash balloons this month. Out of the 22 times North Korea has released trash containing waste since May 28, 10 times were concentrated this month. Starting with the 12th release on the 4th of this month, North Korea released trash balloons for five consecutive days until the 8th, then again on the 11th, 14th-15th, and 18th, and after four days, released balloons again on this day. The total number of balloons North Korea has sent to the South so far amounts to about 5,500.
The contents inside the trash balloons have also changed. Since the 4th, the balloons have contained several small bags inside a large vinyl bag. The military believes that when the trash balloons burst in the air, the multiple small bags separate to maximize the effect. Military authorities expect North Korea to continue releasing trash balloons until the U.S. presidential election is over.
In a message titled “Our Military’s Position on North Korea’s Trash Balloon Release,” distributed to the Ministry of National Defense press corps, the Joint Chiefs of Staff stated, “If North Korea’s continued trash balloons cause serious harm to the safety of our citizens or cross a line, the military will implement resolute military measures.”
The Joint Chiefs also pointed out, “This is an internationally embarrassing and petty act intended to cause discomfort and anxiety among our citizens and provoke internal conflict.” They explained, “As the trash balloon releases continue long-term, some are demanding physical military responses such as aerial shooting down, but if unexpected harmful substances spread due to aerial shooting down, it could pose a greater safety problem for our citizens.”
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