A North Korean balloon filled with debris and trash reached the South Korean presidential complex in Seoul on Thursday morning.
No Safety Risk
According Digi24 the balloon exploded in the air over the Yongsan presidential offices, scattering debris across the area. The South Korean presidential security service assured the public that the contents posed no safety risk.
This balloon is part of an ongoing campaign by North Korea to launch balloons loaded with waste and propaganda into South Korea.
North Korean authorities have framed this activity as retaliation against anti-Pyongyang materials sent by South Korean activists into the North.
Since May, these balloon incidents have escalated, regularly crossing the border in what North Korea claims is a direct response to perceived provocations from Seoul.
Second Time This Year
According to Chosun Daily, the latest balloon incident included leaflets that mocked South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and First Lady Kim Keon Hee.
The leaflets featured photos of the couple along with captions such as “Fortunately, President Yoon and his wife have no children” and called South Korea “the kingdom of Keon Hee.”
This language highlights recent accusations against the First Lady, including alleged involvement in stock manipulation schemes and interference in political candidate selection within the conservative People Power Party ahead of the upcoming elections in April.
Thursday’s incident is the second time this year that balloons from North Korea have reached the highly secured, no-fly zone above the South Korean presidential offices. The first occurred in July, raising concerns over North Korea’s tactics and Seoul’s airspace security measures.
The incident took place just days after Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, publicly accused South Korean activists of escalating tensions by sending anti-regime leaflets into North Korea.
She also criticized Seoul for allegedly dispatching drones over Pyongyang, further intensifying hostilities between the two nations.
