<
div>South Korea’s military has ceased the operation of loudspeakers along the border with North Korea, in response to the newly elected President Lee Jae-myung’s policy to diminish cross-border hostilities.
In a reciprocal move, North Korea appears to have similarly halted its own loudspeakers that target the South; however, any formal conclusion of these activities remains unverified.
President Lee Jae-myung of South Korea had pledged to stop the loudspeaker broadcasts as part of his campaign, aiming to “improve inter-Korean relations and promote peace on the Korean Peninsula.”
Kang Yu-jung, the spokesperson for Lee, stated that this decision was a “preemptive measure” to decrease regional military tensions.
Psychological warfare at play
June saw the resumption of broadcasts, which included propaganda and K-pop music, by South Korea after North Korea deployed thousands of trash-laden balloons as part of a psychological warfare campaign.
North Korea responded by initiating its own broadcasts featuring distressing sounds of animals and other irritants.
Border residents had been bothered for a long time by the noise pollution from both sides.
South Korea seeks to re-establish communication
The broadcasts were part of a Cold War-era standoff that intensified alongside North Korea’s development of nuclear weapons and strengthened military collaboration with Russia.
In his inaugural address, Lee vowed to reopen communication channels with North Korea. Nevertheless, the path forward remains in doubt as North Korea has not accepted numerous diplomatic attempts.
North Korea’s ties with Moscow have deepened in recent years, with allegations of supplying troops and military equipment to support Russia’s activities in Ukraine.
There are growing concerns that Kim Jong Un’s increasing relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin might facilitate the transfer of technology, bolstering North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs.
