Trash dropped by a North Korean balloon falls on South Korea's Presidential compound

North Korean trash balloons raise security concerns in South Korea, prompting increased propaganda broadcasts and potential retaliation.

Trash from at least one North Korean balloon fell on the South Korean Presidential compound on July 24, raising worries about the security of key South Korean facilities from North Korean provocations.

“The rubbish that fell on the ground at the compound in central Seoul contained no dangerous material and no one was hurt,” South Korea’s Presidential security service said in a statement. But experts say South Korea needs to shoot incoming North Korean balloons at border areas next time, as it’s not clear whether North Korea would put in hazardous items in future campaigns.

North Korea's latest balloon launches came days after South Korea boosted its frontline broadcasts of K-pop songs and propaganda messages across the rivals' heavily armed border. Their tit-for-tat Cold War-style campaigns are inflaming tensions, with the rivals threatening stronger steps and warning of grave consequences.

Seoul officials earlier said North Korea had used the direction of winds to fly balloons toward South Korea, but some of the past balloons had timers that were likely meant to pop the bags of trash midair. The security service gave no further details about the rubbish found at the Presidential compound, such as whether balloons were discovered along with the trash.

If North Korea is found to have used timers or any other device to deliberately dump trash on key South Korean facilities such as the Presidential office, it would certainly invite strong response by South Korea. But experts say dropping balloons at ground targets is extremely sophisticated technology and that North Korea would certainly lack such an ability.

The security service refused to disclose whether President Yoon Suk Yeol was in the office at the time. Mr.Yoon's office earlier said he has no official schedule on July 24.

‘North Korean landmines could float into South Korea’