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- South Korea begins removing loudspeakers at North Korean border (abcnews.go.com)
Seoul, South Korea – In a move to ease tensions with North Korea, South Korea’s defense ministry has begun dismantling loudspeakers along the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). These speakers, a fixture of the previous administration, were used to broadcast news and music across the border into the tightly controlled North Korean information space. The move comes as part of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s efforts to improve relations with Pyongyang since taking office in June.
While North Korea had previously condemned the broadcasts as “psychologically detrimental” to those living near the border, Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, recently dismissed any potential engagement with the South. In a statement released in late July, she stated that North Korea had “no interest” in policies or proposals from Seoul and “no intention” of meeting or discussing issues with the South. She further emphasized the fractured relationship between the two countries, declaring it beyond repair.
Despite this seemingly frosty reception, South Korean military officials maintain that the removal of the loudspeakers will not impact their defense readiness.
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- South Korea begins removing loudspeakers at North Korean border (abcnews.go.com)