Seoul, Sep 20 (IANS) A North Korean garbage balloon fell inside a government complex in Seoul for the second time on Friday. The balloon was found in the parking lot in front of the main entry gate.
It was filled with household waste, including a green piece of plastic with a Pyongyang address on it, according to news agency Yonhap.
Firefighters and police officers had cordoned off the area before military officials arrived.
The balloon is believed to be Pyongyang’s response to South Korea sending propaganda material across the border.
Earlier, the South Korean military had reported the arrival of balloons filled with garbage from Pyongyang on September 8. According to Seoul, this was the fifth consecutive day when North Korea sent balloons.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said North Korea resumed its balloon campaign at about 9 a.m., just hours after releasing 200 balloons late Saturday night.
“Considering people’s safety as the top priority, the military will respond firmly and calmly,” the JCS said.
In response to the balloon launches, South Korea’s military has been broadcasting anti-Pyongyang propaganda daily through loudspeakers along the border since July 21. Seoul has refrained from directly shooting down the balloons, citing security concerns.
Since late May, North Korea began launching thousands of balloons filled with garbage in response to anti-Pyongyang leaflets sent across the border from South Korea.
Meanwhile, Seoul has said that in view of the nuclear and missile threats from North Korea, South Korea and the US will hold regular defense talks next week. During this, ways to strengthen security cooperation will be discussed.
The 25th Korea-US Integrated Defense Dialogue (KIDD) will be held in Seoul on Monday and Tuesday, Yonhap news agency reported.
South Korea’s Deputy Minister of National Defense Policy Cho Chang-rae and US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for East Asia Anka Lee will lead the talks, according to the ministry.
–IANS
Mk/ABM