South Korea's Defense Ministry confirmed Tuesday that it has begun removing sound equipment it had installed on the country's northern border to counter North Korean propaganda, calling it a "practical measure" to ease tensions with North Korea.
The move follows the suspension of broadcasts in June as a goodwill gesture by the new liberal government of President Lee Jae-myung, which is seeking rapprochement with Pyongyang.
According to ministry spokesman Lee Kyung-ho, there were no prior consultations with North Korea before the removal of the speakers. He declined to provide details on how the devices would be stored or whether they could be reinstalled in the event of an escalation. The ministry clarified that the removal does not affect the operational readiness of South Korea's armed forces.
North Korea has not officially commented on Seoul's move. However, it is known that Kim Jong-un's leadership reacts harshly to any external criticism, especially when it comes to his regime or family dynasty.
The loudspeakers were reactivated last year by the conservative government of Yun Seok-yeol in response to a psychological warfare campaign by Pyongyang, which included balloons filled with garbage.
The content of the broadcasts - from anti-North Korean messages to K-Pop songs - were intended to irritate the Pyongyang regime, which is trying to limit the influence of South Korean culture in the country.
The speakers' departure marks a shift in Seoul's stance under President Lee, who took power in a snap election to succeed the ousted Yun.
Lee has pledged to restore diplomatic rapprochement with North Korea, in contrast to the previous hardline policy, but Pyongyang's leadership has shown little willingness to respond. (A2 Televizion)
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