Since the end of May, North Korea has launched over 6000 "trash balloons" toward South Korea, some equipped with GPS, according to the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Republic of Korea. The military is currently analyzing whether North Korea could detonate these balloons at specific locations.
The Yonhap News Agency reported that from May 28 to Oct. 11, North Korea conducted 28 separate balloon launches into South Korean airspace. The South Korean military is monitoring North Korea's potential advancements in balloon-floating technology and preparing for emergencies.
According to the South Korean military, North Korea is using timers and heaters to detonate these trash balloons. After a predetermined time, the heater activates and burns the plastic bags under the balloon. If North Korea introduced remote detonation technology for these trash balloons, it would signify a shift from provocative acts to using the balloons as deliberate weapons.
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