North Korea has begun dismantling some propaganda loudspeakers along the border with South Korea, following a similar move by Seoul last week, according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff. The military reported detecting the removal of speakers in parts of the front-line area from Saturday morning, but did not specify locations and noted further confirmation was needed.
The development marks a rare sign of rapprochement since President Lee Jae Myung took office in June, replacing conservative hardliner Yoon Suk Yeol. Lee's administration has sought to revive stalled dialogue with Pyongyang, switching off propaganda broadcasts criticising the North shortly after his inauguration. North Korea stopped its own broadcasts in June as well.
South Korea began dismantling its speakers a week ago. These devices typically broadcast world news, information about democratic society, and K-pop music, with sound reportedly travelling over 20 kilometres into North Korea. Previously, border residents complained about North Korean speakers emitting irritating sounds, such as howling animals and pounding gongs, in retaliation.
North Korea, sensitive to outside criticism of its leadership, has not confirmed the dismantling. The two Koreas remain technically at war after the 1950-53 conflict ended in a truce, and relations have deteriorated in recent years. President Lee has also urged civic groups to stop distributing leaflets criticising the North and delayed some joint military drills with the United States.
