A large balloon attached with leaflets aimed at North Korea was found in the border area between Incheon Ganghwa Island and Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province, and a man in his 40s involved in the distribution was arrested by police.
The Incheon Police Agency's Anti-Corruption Economic Crime Investigation Unit stated on the 17th that a man identified as A, in his 40s, was arrested on suspicion of violating aviation safety laws. A is accused of sending a large balloon carrying leaflets and various items toward North Korea on the night of the 13th of this month from Incheon Ganghwa Island.
A reportedly visited the Ganghwa Police Station on the 16th after the distribution to undergo questioning, but it is known that he refused to provide details about the distribution process.
Police believe that the number of individuals involved in the balloon distribution, including A, totals around 10, and they are tracking these individuals while investigating the possibility of organized activity.
Earlier, on the morning of the 14th, debris of large balloons, along with items including leaflets aimed at North Korea, USBs, and snacks, were discovered in areas of Hajeom-myeon and Yangsa-myeon in Ganghwa County, Incheon, and in Haesung-myeon in Gimpo City, Gyeonggi Province.
A police official said, "A and others are not believed to belong to a defector group," adding, "We plan to investigate further whether they are affiliated with any organization and the motive behind the crimes."