Cliff Notes – North Korea denies removing propaganda loudspeakers.
- Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korea’s leader, firmly rejected claims of dismantling propaganda loudspeakers along the border, reiterating the regime’s disinterest in dialogue with South Korea and the US.
- The North’s anticipation of a joint military drill between South Korea and the US at the end of August was cited as evidence of Seoul’s hostility, as Kim condemned such exercises as preparations for invasion.
- Despite South Korea’s assertions that the loudspeakers were being removed to ease tensions, Kim insisted that North Korea’s stance to avoid improving relations with the South would become a permanent fixture in its constitution.
North Korea denies removing propaganda loudspeakers
Kim Jong Un’s sister denied claims North Korea had removed some of its loudspeakers along its border with the South, saying Seoul is wrong to think of renewed dialogue between the two countries.
“We have never removed loudspeakers installed in the border area and are not willing to remove them,” Kim Yo Jong said on Thursday.
Kim Yo Jong, the North Korean leader’s powerful sibling, repeated previous North Korean statements that Pyongyang has no interest in reviving negotiations with the US and South Korea.
She said an upcoming military drill planned between the two countries at the end of August is proof of their hostility towards North Korea, also blaming the government in Seoul for misleading the public.
North Korea has traditionally always condemned such joint drills, saying they serve as preparation for invasion into its territory. The country often uses such exercises to show off its military strength through military demonstrations and tests to advance its nuclear program.
On Thursday, South Korea said it stood by its assessment that North Korea had begun dismantling border loudspeakers. A South Korean military spokesperson said caution was needed when interpreting official statements from Pyongyang.
Have the South’s dialogue efforts failed?
Last weekend, South Korea’s army said it had detected some of the speakers in the North being removed after the South took a similar measure regarding the loudspeakers used for K-pop and news reports in a bid to ease tensions between Seoul and Pyongyang.
In response to the North’s alleged removal of the speakers, liberal South Korean President Lee Jae Myung voiced hopes of “reopening dialogue and communications” between the two rivalled countries.
The North’s response, however, was a cold shoulder.
“We have clarified on several occasions that we have no will to improve relations with the (South),” Kim said, adding that this position will become “fixed” in North Korea’s constitution in the future.
Kim also ruled out conveying a message to the US through Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of his meeting with President Donald Trump.
“Why should we send a message to the US side?” she said.
The two Koreas are technically still at war with each other due to the 1950-53 war between them ending with an armistice rather than a peace agreement.
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