North Korea capped off the Chuseok holiday with yet another round of trash-filled balloon launches aimed at South Korea, according to reports from the South Korean military.
The Republic of Korea (ROK) Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) confirmed at around 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) had launched its 21st barrage of balloons since late May. Approximately 160 balloons were detected, with around 30 landing on South Korean soil, local media cited the JCS as reporting.
These balloons, once again filled mainly with paper and plastic debris, did not contain any hazardous materials. South Korea has been on alert throughout the Chuseok holiday, which ran from Monday to Wednesday and saw an estimated 37 million people traveling across the country, raising concerns about potential damage or accidents from the falling balloons.
The most recent launch comes after consecutive days of balloon barrages over the weekend, coinciding with the ROK government’s announcement of record-high traffic during the holiday. Despite the increased volume of travelers, no significant accidents were reported as a result of the balloon launches.
However, a minor incident occurred in Seoul’s Seongbuk-gu district on Wednesday evening when a balloon ignited a small fire on a street. The fire, which broke out around 9:40 p.m., was swiftly extinguished, with no injuries or casualties reported.
In a briefing on Thursday, Col. Lee Sung-jun, head spokesperson for the JCS, emphasized the potential intent behind North Korea’s continued provocations.
“One of the objectives behind North Korea’s trash balloon launches is likely to create division within our society,” Lee said, adding that despite the threat, South Korean citizens have remained calm.
“Our military is prepared to respond firmly and decisively if any damage results from these provocations,” he assured.
Earlier in July, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service reported that North Korea had been sending balloons with “white powder” meant to appear as hazardous material, possibly to instill fear. When questioned about this on Thursday, Col. Lee stated that while the possibility of actual biochemical weapons being used seems low, it is suspected that North Korea is using benign substances like flour to mimic dangerous agents.
“Regardless, we are conducting thorough chemical, biological, and radiological tests to ensure no harmful substances are involved and are prepared to take any necessary countermeasures,” Lee said.
The balloon launches between May and early September have already caused property damage estimated at $140,000 in the Seoul metropolitan area. This includes damage to vehicles, rooftops, and fires sparked in various locations, including forests and storage facilities.
When asked about the possibility of North Korea using timers to deliberately cause fires, Col. Lee dismissed the idea, suggesting it is unlikely.
As North Korea’s provocations continue, South Korea remains on high alert, ready to mitigate the threat and protect the public from any potential harm caused by the balloon launches.