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As a result of the US government's analysis of unidentified flying phenomena (UAP), commonly referred to as 'Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs)', it was found that about half were related to balloons.



The US Department of Defense released an 11-page report on the 12th (local time), excluding confidential information, saying that the UAP annual report with this content was submitted to Congress by the National Intelligence Service (DNI).



According to the report, since the first UAP report in 2021, a total of 366 cases have been observed or reported, and as a result of investigation, 163 cases were balloons.



Another 26 cases were drones and 6 cases were trash such as birds or plastic bags.



A total of 171 cases were unspecified.



Some of these unspecified cases appear to have unusual flight characteristics or abilities, requiring further analysis, the report said.



This case may have involved intelligence gathering in another country, but no evidence has been found to support this.



"UAP incidents occur over restricted or sensitive airspace, highlighting concerns about flight safety or potential adversary intelligence-gathering activities," the report said.



Many of the newly observed UAP cases were reported by US Navy or Air Force pilots.



The US Department of Defense is encouraging military personnel, including pilots, to actively report cases of UAP, CNN reported.



A report submitted earlier in 2021 contained information that 144 UAPs had been observed for 17 years from 2004.



At the time, only one case was confirmed as a balloon, and the remaining 143 cases were classified as unconfirmed.



At the time, the report said it found no evidence that the UAP was related to extraterrestrial life or China or Russia.



The US Congress requires reporting on UAP phenomena through the National Defense Authorization Act.



Last year, the Department of Defense established the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) tasked with identifying and investigating UAPs.



(Photo = Capture of the Ministry of Defense report, Yonhap News)