North Korea Launches Over 120 Trash Balloons Towards South Korea
Seoul, South Korea – The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) ofSouth Korea announced on October 7th that North Korea had launched over 120 trash balloons towards the South early that morning. Over 80of these balloons were found to have landed in the northern parts of Gyeonggi-do province and the Seoul metropolitan area.
According to the JCS, the balloonswere confirmed to be carrying household waste, including paper, plastic sheets, and plastic bottles. No hazardous materials were found. The JCS also stated that there are currently no objects remaining in the air.
The trash balloons, typically measuring 2-3 meters in diameter and 3-4 meters in length, carry multiple plastic garbage bags. If they rupture in the air, these bags can disperse and float, explaining the discrepancy between the number of balloons launched and the number of objects foundon the ground.
This incident marks the 25th time North Korea has launched trash balloons towards South Korea since late May this year. The launches are believed to be a form of protest against South Korean civic groups that distribute anti-North Korean leaflets.
The incident has sparked concerns about potential environmental damage andsafety risks. While the JCS has confirmed the absence of hazardous materials, the sheer volume of plastic waste carried by the balloons poses a significant threat to the environment.
The South Korean government has condemned the launches as a provocative act and called for North Korea to cease such activities. The incident highlights the ongoing tensions between thetwo Koreas and underscores the need for dialogue and cooperation to address the issue of environmental protection and regional stability.
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