▲ Balloons launched by North Korea float over central Seoul in this file photo taken Oct. 8, 2024. (Yonhap)

(LEAD) N Korea-trash balloons

(LEAD) N. Korea launches around 20 trash balloons toward S. Korea

(ATTN: CHANGES headline, lead; UPDATES throughout with details)

SEOUL, Oct. 24 (Yonhap) -- North Korea launched about 20 balloons carrying trash toward South Korea early Thursday, the South's military said, in the resumption of its balloon campaign after a five-day hiatus.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff said it discovered more than 10 trash bundles in the broader Seoul area after the latest launch, noting they carried propaganda leaflets. No hazardous substances had been detected after an analysis.

The leaflets, which contained criticism of President Yoon Suk Yeol and first lady Kim Keon Hee, were also found in the presidential compound.

The latest launch comes after Kim Yo-jong, the influential sister of the North's leader, claimed Tuesday the North discovered and removed the previous day "political motivational rubbish" sent by the South.

Since late May, the North has launched thousands of balloons carrying trash in retaliation against anti-Pyongyang propaganda leaflets sent across the border by activists in the South. It last launched such balloons on Saturday.

In response to the launches, the South's military has been blaring daily anti-North Korean propaganda broadcasts through loudspeakers along the border since July. It has refrained from shooting down the balloons, citing safety concerns.

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