'Balloon' crisis grows: Balloon launched from North Korea lands at government building

The "balloon" tension between North Korea and South Korea continues. In a statement from the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), it was reported that North Korea has once again sent trash-filled balloons to South Korea's border regions. While it was stated that the balloons were seen in the skies over Gyeonggi province near the capital Seoul, the public was urged not to touch the balloons and to report them to security forces.

ONE BALLOON LANDED ON THE PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE GROUNDS

In a statement from the South Korean Presidential Security Service (PSS), it was reported that a trash-carrying balloon landed on the grounds of the South Korean Presidential Office. The statement, which noted that the waste materials carried by the balloon were examined for security reasons, said, "Inspections conducted by chemical, biological, and radiological response teams determined that the waste did not pose a danger or contamination."

NORTH KOREA HAD SENT 3 THOUSAND BALLOONS

North Korea has sent more than 3 thousand trash-filled balloons to South Korea's border regions since the end of May in retaliation for balloons carrying propaganda leaflets sent by South Korean activists. Most recently, it was announced last Sunday that 500 trash-carrying balloons belonging to North Korea were seen in South Korean skies. In response to North Korea's balloon actions, the South Korean administration installed giant loudspeakers in the border region and began broadcasting propaganda toward North Korea.