A series of fires across South Korea’s metropolitan regions have been linked to balloons filled with waste, launched by North Korea. Authorities say the fires were likely caused by explosive devices attached to the balloons, which are designed to detonate mid-air, releasing trash such as paper and cigarette butts. These devices, containing small amounts of gunpowder, act as timers and explode after a set period. While North Korea has used similar balloons before, the recent surge in fires has raised concerns about potential escalations.
On Sept. 8, a fire broke out on the roof of a warehouse in Gwangtan-myeon, Paju, Gyeonggi Province, destroying 330 square meters and causing 87.29 million won (appoximately $65,400) in damages. Firefighters discovered debris from what appeared to be an explosive device attached to a balloon. The fire was extinguished in three hours, with no injuries reported.
In another incident, a similar device was found at the site of a factory fire near Gimpo Airport in Seoul’s Gangseo District. The fire, which occurred on Sept. 5, damaged 50 square meters of the factory ceiling, with losses estimated at 1 to 2 billion won. Authorities confirmed the debris matched that of previous North Korean waste balloons.
According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, North Korea launched more than 1,250 waste-filled balloons between Sept. 4 and Sept. 8, with over 430 landing in the Seoul metropolitan area. Yang Uk, a research fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, warned that the explosive devices might have the destructive power of grenade fuses and could spark wildfires if they land in dry areas.
Similar fires from June to August are being reexamined, as authorities suspect these devices may have caused them as well. Data from Rep. Yang Bu-nam of the National Assembly’s Public Administration and Security Committee shows that between May 28 and Aug. 10, North Korean balloons caused more than 100 million won in damages in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, with 51 incidents reported. Most involved fires and broken windows, though officials believe actual damage may be higher due to unreported cases.
Authorities have urged the public to avoid approaching these balloons and to report any sightings immediately.
