An emergency text message alerting residents about North Korean propaganda leaflets was issued in Gyeonggi Province overnight, alarming and confusing people in the area.
The message was sent to residents in parts of Gyeonggi, which surrounds the capital Seoul, at 11:34 p.m. on Tuesday, alerting them that “unidentified objects, presumed to be North Korean leaflets to the South, detected.”
The message also included the English phrase, “Air raid preliminary warning,” advising recipients to refrain from outdoor activities or notify the military if they encountered any such leaflets.
Shortly beforehand, the military reported that about 10 large balloons, presumed to be carrying leaflets from North Korea, were seen flying near the border areas in Gyeonggi and Gangwon Province, and it was taking measures in response.
The public alert immediately led to a surge in calls to police and fire authorities from startled residents, asking if they needed to evacuate or if the alert was genuine.
Many anxious comments we
re also left online, particularly regarding the English phase “air raid” included in the message.
A police official said that no reports of encountering leaflets have been filed so far, but the police have received a wave of calls from alarmed residents.
Source: Yonhap News Agency