SEOUL — A balloon filled with trash from North Korea landed within the South Korean presidential office compound on Wednesday, causing no harm, according to the Presidential Security Service (PSS). The incident involved one of several balloons sent by North Korea, which has been dispatching these trash-carrying objects since May in retaliation against anti-Pyongyang propaganda leaflets from South Korea.
According to Yonhap News Agency, a specialized response team conducted a thorough investigation of the debris and confirmed there was no danger or contamination. The debris was safely removed, and ongoing surveillance is being coordinated with the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The presidential office monitored the trajectory of the balloon using an observation device, ensuring it was tracked until it landed within the compound. Officials highlighted the challenges of intercepting these balloons mid-air due to uncertainties about their contents, opting instead for recovery post-landing. Military authorities have opted against shooting the balloons down to avoid spreading potential harmful materials.