Trash carried by a North Korean balloon landed on the presidential compound in central Seoul on Thursday, South Korean officials confirmed in a startling breach of security. This marks the second incident of its kind since North Korea resumed sending balloon-borne trash toward South Korea in late May, reviving Cold War-era psychological warfare tactics.
South Korea’s presidential security service assured that the debris contained no hazardous materials.However, it remains unclear whether President Yoon Suk Yeol was present at the compound when the balloon made contact.
Experts suggest that North Korea lacks the advanced technology needed to target specific locations with precision.
According to local media reports, including the Dong-A Ilbo newspaper, the latest balloons carried not only trash but also propaganda leaflets condemning President Yoon and First Lady Kim Keon Hee. These leaflets were reportedly scattered across Seoul’s Yongsan district, home to the presidential office. The newspaper also noted that North Korea may have started using GPS technology to more accurately deliver these balloons to their intended targets.
The balloon campaign follows accusations by North Korea that South Korea has deployed drones to drop propaganda leaflets over Pyongyang three times this month. North Korean officials have warned of military retaliation if such incidents persist. While South Korea has not confirmed the use of drones, it has issued a stern warning that any threat to the safety of its citizens would mean the end of the North Korean regime.
A similar balloon incident occurred in July when trash carried by a North Korean balloon also landed on the presidential compound, sparking concerns over the security of vital South Korean facilities. As in the latest case, no dangerous materials were found in the debris at that time.
