Seoul, September 6, 2024 – The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) announced on Thursday that North Korea had released over 260 garbage balloons into South Korea over the past two days. According to the JCS, the balloons, which contained various types of waste, were launched from North Korea into South Korea between the evening of September 5 and the early hours of September 6. The waste-filled balloons landed in the Seoul and Gyeonggi-do regions.
The balloons, which were equipped with plastic bags filled with garbage such as废纸 (waste paper) and 塑料瓶 (plastic bottles), did not contain any harmful substances. The JCS explained that due to the multiple plastic bags tied to each balloon, the number of balloons and plastic bags is not necessarily consistent. The JCS also stated that the exact locations of the balloons’ landings should not be disclosed for operational security reasons.
This incident marks the 14th time this year that North Korea has released garbage balloons into South Korea, a move seen as a protest against South Korean civilian groups distributing anti-North Korean leaflets across the border. The JCS has been closely monitoring the balloons and their impact on South Korean territory.
The recent balloon drop follows a series of similar incidents over the past few months. In response, the South Korean government has expressed its regret over the continuous balloon launches. The government has emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and has called for dialogue between the two Koreas to address the issue.
The practice of launching balloons filled with waste and other materials across the border has been a point of contention between North Korea and South Korea for several years. North Korea claims that the balloons are a form of protest against South Korean actions, while South Korea sees them as a provocation that violates international law.
The JCS has been working closely with other South Korean government agencies to monitor and respond to the balloon launches. The South Korean military has also been conducting exercises to improve its ability to detect and intercept balloons.
The latest balloon drop has once again highlighted the ongoing tensions between North Korea and South Korea. The international community has been closely watching the situation on the Korean Peninsula, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing tensions.
In a related development, the South Korean government has called on the international community to take action against North Korea for its continued violations of international law. The government has also urged North Korea to refrain from further provocations and to engage in dialogue with South Korea to address the underlying issues causing the tensions.
The recent balloon drop is a reminder of the complex and challenging situation on the Korean Peninsula. As the international community watches the situation unfold, there is a growing concern that the tensions could escalate further if not addressed promptly and effectively.
In conclusion, the recent balloon drop by North Korea into South Korea has once again raised concerns about the ongoing tensions on the Korean Peninsula. The South Korean government and the international community are closely monitoring the situation and calling for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing disputes.
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