North Korea Launches 500 Trash Balloons into South Korea

North Korea has escalated its provocative campaign against South Korea by launching approximately 500 balloons filled with trash into South Korea's airspace within 24 hours, disrupting flights and igniting a fire on a residential building. These balloons have landed in critical areas including South Korea's presidential compound and a U.S. military base, raising serious security concerns. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed that some balloons contained timed poppers designed to spread the trash, though no hazardous materials were found. The trash balloon launches are a retaliation against South Korean activists who send anti-Pyongyang leaflets and other materials into North Korea. South Korean authorities are advising the public to avoid touching these balloons and to report any sightings, while experts suggest intercepting future balloons to prevent potential threats. In response, South Korea has resumed propaganda broadcasts across the DMZ, heightening tensions between the two nations.