North Korean balloon drops trash on South Korean president’s office

A balloon from North Korea has dumped trash on South Korea’s presidential compound in Seoul, marking the second such incident in recent months, according to South Korean authorities.

In a statement released on Thursday, the presidential security service confirmed that the balloon, which crossed the inter-Korean border, dropped refuse on the Yongsan district site. While no harmful materials were found, local media, including Dong-A Ilbo and Chosun Ilbo, reported that the balloon also carried propaganda leaflets mocking President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife.

This comes on the heels of remarks by Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, accusing South Korea of sending “political rubbish” into the North. Pyongyang has reportedly been launching balloons filled with trash and leaflets since May in retaliation against similar activities by South Korean activists.

Thursday’s incident, the second of its kind, has raised concerns about the security of key South Korean government sites amid heightened tensions with North Korea.

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