North Korea launched trash-filled balloons for the 12th time across the border on Wednesday, resulting in 11 related reports in the southern Gyeonggi Province, South Korea.
By 8:10 AM Thursday, the Gyeonggi Southern Police Agency had logged 11 reports regarding the balloons.
The reports varied by region, with Icheon receiving the most at 7, Yangpyeong with 2, Hanam with 1, and Ansung with 1.
However, 6 of the 7 reports from Icheon were duplicates, and the report from Ansung was a case of mistaken identification.
As a result, police confirmed only four actual sightings of the balloons.
North Korea released balloons for the first time in 25 days since the 11th release in August.
Since the initial launch in May, North Korea has released balloons for a total of 12 times to the South.
The balloons have carried various contents: human waste and manure in the first two releases, paper, plastic, and fabric scraps in the third and fourth, and paper fragments in the fifth through eleventh releases.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff reported on Thursday night, around 8:12 PM, that “North Korea is once again launching suspected balloons toward the South,” noting that changes in wind direction could cause the balloons to drift into northern Gyeonggi Province.
The public is advised to be cautious of falling debris, avoid touching any fallen balloons, and report sightings to the nearest military base or police station.