North Korea has once again sent balloons presumed to be carrying trash across the border to South Korea, according to the Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency.
Seoul’s military reported this new wave of balloons following last week’s incident where nearly 1,000 similar balloons were sent. The Joint Chiefs of Staff advised people not to touch the objects and to report them to nearby military or police authorities. They also warned of potential damage from the balloons, which may move southward overnight due to changing wind directions.
In November, North Korea ended a five-year military pact with South Korea that aimed to reduce military tensions. This decision came amid increased military activities on the Korean Peninsula, where the US has strengthened alliances with Seoul and Japan.
In February, the North Korean parliament also voted to end economic cooperation agreements with South Korea.
Seoul suspended the 2018 inter-Korean tension reduction pact after North Korea airdropped balloons filled with trash into South Korea, drawing strong condemnation from Seoul.
Pyongyang confirmed it sent 3,500 balloons from last Tuesday until Sunday, while Seoul detected 1,000 balloons causing property damage. North Korean Vice Defense Minister Kim Kang-il stated the balloons carried 15 tons of debris. Kim also mentioned that Pyongyang would stop the airdrops if South Korea ceased sending anti-Pyongyang leaflets into North Korea.
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