South Korea’s Democratic Party Proposes Compensation for Victims of North Korean Trash Balloon Incidents

The Democratic Party in South Korea has introduced a bill that includes compensation to be paid by the state or local governments for property damage caused by waste balloons sent by North Korea.

Mo Kyung Jong, an assembly member of the Democratic Party who was nominated as the Public Administration and Security Committee member in the first half of the 22nd National Assembly, proposed the Partial Amendment to the Civil Defense Act containing such content on the 4th.

The amendment includes a provision that the state or local governments can compensate all or part of the damage amount for those who have suffered life, physical, or property damage due to enemy infiltration and provocation.

Since North Korea has sent waste balloons twice, the recent nationwide damages such as broken car windshields and damaged building water tanks were taken into consideration.

There was no basis in the current law for the government to compensate for property damage caused by North Korea’s provocations.

Mo said, “The public is still suffering from damage due to North Korea’s provocations. Since there is no basis for government compensation, repairs must be done through personal insurance.” He also expressed hope that “the country can fulfill its role of protecting the property and life of the people through the proposed bill.”