North Korea again sends balloons to South Korea, presumed to be carrying trash: Seoul's military

By Muhammed Enes Calli

ISTANBUL (AA) - North Korea again sent balloons to South Korea that are presumed to be carrying trash, according to Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency.

Seoul’s military said it came after North Korea sent nearly 1,000 similar balloons across the border last week.

"The Joint Chiefs of Staff advised people not to touch the objects and report them to nearby military or police authorities, and cautioned of possible damage from the balloons, adding the balloons may move southward overnight due to a change in the direction of the wind," said the news agency.

Last November, North Korea ended a five-year military pact with South Korea. The deal aimed at lowering military tensions. The decision by Pyongyang came amid heightening military activities on the Korean Peninsula where the US has closed ranks with Seoul and Japan.

In February, the North Korean parliament voted to end economic cooperation agreements with South Korea.

Seoul’s move to suspend the 2018 inter-Korean tension reduction pact came after Pyongyang airdropped balloons of trash into South Korea, drawing condemnation from Seoul.

Pyongyang confirmed it sent 3,500 balloons from last Tuesday until Sunday. Seoul said it detected 1,000 balloons which caused damage to properties.

The balloons carried 15 tons of debris, according to North Korean Vice Defense Minister Kim Kang-il.

Kim said Pyongyang will halt airdropping trash if South Korea stops sending anti-Pyongyang leaflets into North Korea.