Over $75,000 in damage caused by N. Korean trash balloons in wider Seoul area
A vehicle is damaged by a trash balloon from North Korea in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, in this photo taken in June 2. Korea Times file
North Korea's trash-filled balloons have caused combined damage exceeding 100 million won ($74,600) in the wider capital area of South Korea over the past three months, according to data Sunday.
Damage was reported due to trash bundles that landed in Seoul and the surrounding Gyeonggi Province between May 28 and Aug. 10, according to the city and provincial governments data submitted to Rep. Yang Bu-nam of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea.
A total of 51 reports were filed, with 13 incidents in Seoul and 38 in Gyeonggi Province, the data showed. Three cases are still under assessment, and thus no damage amounts have been reported.
The most significant single report involved a logistics center located in Seoul's western region, where a trash balloon fell onto a parked vehicle, damaging the car roof and resulting in property damage of over 15.71 million won.
Current laws do not offer a legal basis for the government to provide compensation in cases of property damage caused by North Korea's provocations or trash-carrying balloons.
However, the interior ministry has stated it will expedite the processing of damage reports ahead of the revision of related laws.
Since May 28, the North has launched thousands of balloons carrying trash in retaliation against anti-Pyongyang leaflets sent across the border by North Korean defectors and activists in South Korea.
Earlier in the day, North Korea sent more trash balloons toward South Korea, marking the 17th round of balloon launches. (Yonhap)