Trash Balloons Fly Again: North Korea Provokes South After Armed Forces Day Celebrations

North Korea has resumed its controversial practice of launching balloons toward South Korea, marking the first such incident in ten days.

Caution is urged as North Korea resumed deploying trash-filed balloons soon after Armed Forces Day, celebrating its 76th anniversary, according to reports from Yonhap News Agency and others on Wednesday.

The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) confirmed the launch and warned that, depending on wind conditions, the balloons could drift toward northern Gyeonggi Province and the greater Seoul area. Residents were urged to avoid touching debris and report sightings to the military or local police.

This marks the first instance of North Korean balloon provocations since September 22.

Last month, on September 23, the JCS cautioned that continued balloon launches could prompt “decisive military action” if they were deemed a severe threat to public safety or crossed certain lines. That day, balloons reportedly began falling in Seoul around 6:20 a.m., with extreme winds accelerating their movement southward.

These balloon provocations have caused various issues, including fires and disruptions to air traffic. The debris has the potential to land unpredictably, posing serious safety risks. Sometimes, the balloons’ contents have ignited fires or damaged buildings. The unpredictable nature of wind currents makes it difficult to predict where the balloons will land.

Officials have reiterated that residents in affected areas should avoid direct contact with the debris and report it to the authorities. Those in regions likely to be impacted are advised to stay indoors and take preventive measures to minimize any potential damage.

Meanwhile, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol condemned North Korea’s actions, accusing the regime of refusing unification by clinging to the notion of “two hostile states” and carrying out provocations such as launching trash-filled balloons and jamming GPS signals.

“A false peace that depends on the enemy’s goodwill is nothing more than an illusion,” Yoon said. “History shows that the only way to safeguard peace is by building strength that no adversary can challenge.”