South Korean Airport Disrupted by North Korean Trash Balloons

Incheon International Airport Briefly Closed Due to Safety Concerns

​​​​​​South Korea's main airport, Incheon International, faced disruptions early Wednesday morning due to balloons launched from North Korea. These balloons, filled with garbage, posed a safety hazard and forced a temporary closure of the airport's runways.

An airport spokesperson confirmed that takeoffs and landings were halted for roughly three hours before dawn. The disruption stemmed from a single balloon landing on the tarmac near passenger Terminal 2. This incident necessitated the shutdown of all three runways at Incheon as a safety precaution.

The balloon launch is part of a larger trend. North Korea has been sending these trash-laden balloons across the border into South Korea since late May, with hundreds reported landing in various locations. This recent incident, however, marks a significant escalation as it directly impacted critical air travel infrastructure.

The South Korean government has condemned North Korea's actions, highlighting the danger they pose to public safety and property. The incident has also strained inter-Korean relations, leading to the South Korean government discontinuing a 2018 military agreement.