Trash carried by a balloon from North Korea landed in South Koreas presidential compound in central Seoul on Thursday, according to officials. This is the second such incident in recent months, intensifying concerns about the security of crucial South Korean sites amidst escalating tensions with North Korea.The North Korean balloon burst over the presidential compound, scattering debris on the ground. The South Korean Presidential Security Service confirmed that no hazardous materials were found. This incident follows North Koreas recent threats, accusing South Korea of flying drones over Pyongyang to distribute propaganda leaflets earlier this month.North Korea has been using balloons to send trash into South Korea since May, as part of a revived Cold War-style psychological warfare campaign. In a similar incident in July, trash fell on the presidential compound, though it posed no immediate danger and caused no injuries.North Korean balloon dumps trash on South Koreas presidential compound.Follow: @AFpost pic.twitter.com/FHsEVNUTGP— AF Post (@AFpost) October 24, 2024It remains unclear whether South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was present at the compound when the latest incident occurred. His official schedule indicated a planned meeting with the visiting Polish President Andrzej Duda later that day.South Koreas Dong-A Ilbo newspaper reported that the latest North Korean balloons carried propaganda leaflets targeting President Yoon and his wife, Kim Keon Hee, along with the trash. The leaflets were scattered across Seouls Yongsan district, where the presidential office is located. The report also noted that North Korea appears to be using GPS technology to improve the precision of its balloon drops.🇰🇵🇰🇷 North Korea has launched hundreds of balloons filled with trash and waste across the border, Seouls military reported on Wednesday.This action follows a warning from the North of retaliatory measures in response to anti-Pyongyang leaflets sent by South Korean activists. pic.twitter.com/28f5eoQwMK— DD Geopolitics (@DD_Geopolitics) May 29, 2024However, South Koreas presidential security service has not confirmed these claims. Experts, like Lee Choon Geun from the Science and Technology Policy Institute, argue that North Korea likely lacks sophisticated targeting technology. According to Lee, the balloons accuracy relies more on wind conditions than advanced guidance systems.North Korea has previously accused South Korea of sending drones to drop propaganda in Pyongyang and warned of potential military retaliation. South Korea has not confirmed these accusations but has cautioned North Korea that any threat to its citizens could lead to severe consequences.
