North Korean rubbish balloon hits South Korean presidential compound in Seoul: Video

The balloon, which was tracked in real-time by South Korean security officials, was carried by westerly winds across the heavily fortified border before landing in the presidential compound. The rubbish it carried did not pose any immediate danger, and no injuries were reported.

However, the landing of the balloon on the presidential compound, a no-fly zone, has heightened concerns about the security of key South Korean facilities.

While experts believe that North Korea lacks the sophisticated technology to precisely target specific sites with these balloons, the potential for future incidents involving hazardous materials cannot be ruled out.

Since May 2024, North Korea has been launching thousands of balloons filled with trash, including bottles, old batteries, and even manure, towards South Korea. These actions are seen as a tit-for-tat response to South Korean activists and defectors who have been sending propaganda leaflets into North Korea via balloons for years.

In response to the balloon launches, South Korea has resumed broadcasting K-pop songs and propaganda messages across the border . The South Korean military is closely monitoring North Korean movements and has warned citizens to avoid touching any objects contained in the trash bags.