Additional Coverage:
Seoul, South Korea – Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, has dismissed South Korean reports of North Korea removing loudspeakers from the inter-Korean border. She accused Seoul of clinging to false hopes of renewed diplomacy.
Over the weekend, South Korea’s military announced it had detected the removal of some North Korean loudspeakers. This followed South Korea’s own dismantling of loudspeakers used for anti-North propaganda broadcasts, a move intended to de-escalate tensions.
Kim Yo Jong reiterated North Korea’s lack of interest in resuming talks with Washington and Seoul. She cited upcoming joint military exercises between the allies as evidence of their hostility towards Pyongyang.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff did not specify the location of the alleged loudspeaker removal. Furthermore, loudspeakers previously visible from the South Korean side of the border remained in place after the announcement, according to reports.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung had interpreted the alleged removal as a positive step towards dialogue. However, Kim Yo Jong countered this, stating that North Korea has “never removed loudspeakers installed on the border area and are not willing to remove them,” accusing Lee’s government of misleading the public.
South Korea’s military maintains its assessment, cautioning against the political motivations behind North Korean statements. A spokesperson pointed to North Korea’s history of making untrue claims.
Kim Yo Jong also dismissed speculation about North Korea using an upcoming meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and former US President Donald Trump as an opportunity to communicate with Washington. She stated plainly, “Why should we send a message to the U.S. side?”, emphasizing North Korea’s disinterest in talks with the Americans.
North Korea has prioritized its relationship with Russia, providing significant military support for Russia’s war in Ukraine. Recent reports confirm a phone call between Kim Jong Un and Putin to discuss strengthening ties and war efforts.
Kim Yo Jong’s statements echo earlier dismissals of attempts to restart denuclearization talks, which stalled in 2019. Recent months have seen escalating tensions along the border, with North Korea using loudspeakers to broadcast disruptive noises in response to South Korean propaganda. South Korea halted its broadcasts in June, followed by North Korea’s cessation of its own broadcasts.