Fires associated with North Korean trash balloons have sparked concerns that these balloons could be weaponized. Experts argue that North Korea’s balloon might contain explosives and should be taken with more caution.
According to South Korea’s Joint Chief of Staff (JCS) on Wednesday, a few North Korean trash balloons contained thermal timers that could ignite fires if they failed to separate properly from the balloon and payload during the heating process.
North Korea designed these balloons to activate the thermal timer, sending them aloft with bags of trash attached. Military officials explained that when the thermal timer activates, the trash converses.
Such devices caused a fire at a factory in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province, on the morning of the 5th. Authorities believed that the objects were part of the North Korean balloon. A similar fire occurred on the 8th at a warehouse in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, where the same remains were found.
Additional fire damage has also been reported in multi-family housing in Goyang and on hillsides in Paju.
As North Korea escalates its provocations, fears about the potential weaponization of these balloons are resurfacing. Some people are concerned that these trash balloons might contain biological or chemical warfare.
A report, “Assessment of the Risk of Biological Attacks Related to North Korean Trash Balloons,” published by the National Security Strategy Institute, discusses cases of biological warfare delivered through hot air balloons or regular balloons.
The report states, “If biological warfares disperse in the air, they can spread over a wide area due to temperature and wind conditions. However, if they land on the ground, they may die quickly.”
Nonetheless, Anthrax spores can be extremely dangerous as they are very resistant to the natural environment and can remain effective on the surface for a long time.
A heated debate has emerged over who should be held accountable for the damage caused by trash balloons. According to Yang Bu Nam from the Democratic Party, the total damage in the metropolitan area from the initial trash balloon launch by North Korea on May 28 to August 10 is estimated at approximately $7,800. The fire on the roof of the warehouse in Paju on the 8th caused $65,000 worth of damage.
Minister of Unification Kim Young Ho believes North Korea should face legal accountability for the damage caused. He stated this during a full National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee meeting.
He also mentioned, “There is insufficient legal basis for supporting victims of trash balloon incidents, so amending the law is necessary. I will work with the Ministry of the Interior to ensure financial issues are handled smoothly. We will explore various options.”
The ruling party has also supported claims that North Korea should be held liable for the damage caused by the trash balloons. Kim Ki Hyun of the People Power Party expressed concern over civilian casualties, stating, “It is troubling that private citizens are suffering. Our government should have responded more swiftly,” while emphasizing that fundamentally, it is a crime committed by North Korea should be held responsible.
In contrast, the opposition party argued that the government should compensate for the damage caused by the trash balloons. Yoon Hoo Deok from the Democratic Party pointed out, “There was a fire caused by the North Korean trash balloons, resulting in damages estimated at $65,000. How will the government compensate for this?” He stressed that the government must respond quickly to provide compensation.
Most Commented