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Key Points

South Korea has begun dismantling its border loudspeakers as a goodwill gesture to ease tensions with the North. However, North Korea has not shown any signs of removing its own loudspeakers in response. The move follows President Lee Jae Myung's earlier suspension of propaganda broadcasts. Pyongyang has long opposed such broadcasts, fearing outside influence on its regime.

Key Points: North Korea Keeps Border Loudspeakers Despite South Korea Removal

  • South Korea removes border loudspeakers to reduce tensions
  • North Korea yet to reciprocate the gesture
  • Move follows President Lee Jae Myung's June suspension order
  • Pyongyang historically opposes outside propaganda broadcasts
2 min read

South Korea's military says no signs of North Korea removing border loudspeakers

South Korea dismantles border loudspeakers to ease tensions, but North Korea shows no signs of reciprocating the move.

"As of Tuesday, there had been no movements by the North Korean military to dismantle their loudspeakers. – Col. Lee Sung-jun"

Seoul, Aug 5

North Korea has yet to show any signs of taking down its loudspeakers along the border with South Korea, the South's military said Tuesday, a day after Seoul began dismantling its border loudspeakers for anti-Pyongyang broadcasts.

On Monday, the South Korean military started removing fixed loudspeaker facilities installed along the heavily fortified border, in what it called a "practical measure" to ease inter-Korean tensions without affecting the military's readiness posture.

"As of Tuesday, there had been no movements by the North Korean military to dismantle their loudspeakers. Only daily activities were detected," Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesperson Col. Lee Sung-jun said in a regular press briefing.

The South Korean military on Monday started removing loudspeakers for propaganda broadcasts toward North Korea installed along the heavily fortified border, the defence ministry said, in Seoul's latest efforts to reduce inter-Korean tensions.

The move comes less than two months after the South Korean President Lee Jae Myung ordered the suspension of loudspeaker broadcasts in front-line areas as part of efforts to mend strained ties with the North.

North Korea has long bristled against the military's loudspeaker broadcasts as well as leaflets sent by activists over fears of outside information that could pose a threat to its ruling regime.

Pyongyang has also since turned off its own noise-blaring campaign against the South, Yonhap news agency reported.

"It is a practical measure that can help ease inter-Korean tensions without affecting the military's readiness posture," the ministry said in a notice to reporters.

The follow-up measure to the June suspension applies to fixed speakers installed alongside the border and is set to be completed within this week, Col. Lee Kyung-ho, a ministry spokesperson, told a regular press briefing. About 20 fixed speakers are known to be in the area.

No consultations with the North took place prior to the decision, Lee said.

When asked about whether the North is preparing to take corresponding action, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said no such movement has yet been detected.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Interesting to see how propaganda works on both sides of the border. In India, we also have our own challenges with cross-border information warfare. Maybe South Korea should have waited for North Korea to respond before removing their speakers? 🤔
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Aman W
This reminds me of the India-China border tensions. Unilateral peace gestures often don't work with authoritarian regimes. South Korea should maintain military readiness while pursuing diplomacy. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳
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Sarah B
As someone living in India but originally from the US, I find these tensions fascinating. The psychological warfare aspect is something we don't see much in Western conflicts. Hope both Koreas can find peaceful solutions soon.
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Vikram M
North Korea behaves exactly like our western neighbor - never appreciates peace gestures. South Korea should learn from India's experience. First secure your borders, then talk peace. Otherwise these gestures are seen as weakness.
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Nisha Z
The article mentions about outside information being a threat to North Korea's regime. This shows how scared authoritarian governments are of their own people knowing the truth. Same happens in many parts of the world. Information is power!

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