Cliff Notes
- South Korea has initiated the removal of loudspeakers that had been used to disseminate democratic propaganda and K-pop music across the border to ease tensions with North Korea under the new liberal government.
- The broadcasts, which resumed last summer in response to North Korean provocations, were halted in June and are now being dismantled, although the future of the equipment remains uncertain.
- North Korea has not officially commented on the removal; however, Kim Yo Jong has dismissed South Korea’s conciliatory approach, asserting that relations remain unchanged due to continued military cooperation with the United States.
South Korea removes speakers used to blast K-pop music and propaganda across North Korea border | World News
South Korea has begun removing speakers used to blast democratic propaganda and K-pop music across the border.
The country’s new liberal government said it was a “practical measure” to ease tensions with communist North Korea.
Daily broadcasts had resumed last summer in retaliation for thousands of rubbish-filled balloons being sent in Seoul’s direction.
Officials said at the time it would send a message of “hope and light to the North’s troops and its people” and claimed the sound travelled up to 15 miles at night.
However, hardline conservative president Yoon Suk Yeol was ousted this year and successor Lee Jae Myung has promised to improve relations.
The broadcasts on the 150-mile border stopped in June and now the speakers are being taken down.
Defence ministry spokesperson Lee Kyung-ho, speaking on Monday, did not say where the equipment was going or if it could be quickly redeployed if needed.
North Korea has not commented on the move – but Kim Jong Un‘s sister last week rebuffed the South’s more conciliatory approach.
Kim Yo Jong said Seoul’s “blind trust” in ties with the US – with whom it has conducted joint military drills – meant the new government was no different.
