ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - May 29, 2024

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - May 29, 2024

ZeroFox physical security experts collect, curate, and analyze information derived from open and proprietary sources for comprehensive context of the circumstances surrounding global events. Here is today’s daily roundup of major developments.

Brief Highlights

• Red Sea Vessel Taking on Water After Attack
• Philippines Opens New Coast Guard Station near Taiwan
• South Korea Accuses North of “Base” Act by Sending Balloons with Trash

Red Sea Vessel Taking on Water After Attack

On May 28, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center reported that a vessel in the Red Sea appeared to be taking on water after being struck by a missile. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, though Yemen’s Houthi militants are likely responsible. The attack followed a weekend in which the Houthis claimed to have targeted five ships including two U.S. destroyers, though this was not confirmed by American or British military sources.

Philippines Opens New Coast Guard Station near Taiwan

On May 24, the Philippines opened a new coast guard station in its northern islands near Taiwan, strengthening its surveillance capacity where China has built up its military presence. The Philippine Coast Guard station on Itbayat Island in the northern Batanes province is less than 125 miles from Taiwan. The new Coast Guard station is a strategic move to increase awareness along the Luzon Strait, a vital international waterway south of Taiwan. The new coast guard station opened as China conducted mock missile strikes and dispatched aircraft carrying live missiles after Taiwan’s new President Lai Ching-te took office on May 20, 2024. Although the Philippines does not officially support Taiwan, it has similar disputes as Taiwan with China in the South China Sea. In the past few months, the Philippines and China have had several run-ins in the disputed waters of the South China Sea, including the Chinese coast guard using a water cannon that damaged Filipino boats.

South Korea Accuses North of “Base” Act by Sending Balloons with Trash

South Korea has accused North Korea of sending over 150 balloons carrying trash and excrement across the border, calling it a base and dangerous act. The military has deployed specialized teams to inspect and collect the objects, and an alert has been issued for residents to avoid and report any sightings. North Korea's vice defense minister threatened to respond as a form of self-defense and warned of sending "mounds of waste-paper and filth" to South Korea in retaliation for the "dirty things" (referring to messages critical of Pyongyang) flown to South Korea by North Korea.