NORTH Korea released more than 240 trash-laden balloons overnight, with only about 4 percent landing in South Korean territory, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).
Most of the balloons fell in northern Gyeonggi, a significant decrease from the 480 that landed in South Korea during a similar launch on July 24.
The JCS attributed the lower number of balloons landing in South Korea to strong winds and confirmed that, as of 10 a.m. Sunday, no balloons were detected in the air.
The balloons, carrying waste such as paper and plastic bottles, did not pose safety concerns. North Korea reportedly ceased the balloon launches at dawn.
This incident marks the 11th balloon launch from North Korea this year, and Pyongyang has so far flown more than 2,000 of the trash balloons.
This act is seen as a retaliation towards South Korean civilian activists who have been flying anti-North Korea leaflets across the border.
In response to ongoing launches, South Korea has intensified loudspeaker broadcasts towards the border since July 18.
The South Korean military continues to collect the balloons after they land, maintaining a policy of avoiding direct confrontation to prevent escalation.
