Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen correspondent: An Israeli drone strike targeted the town of Al-Qlailah, Southern Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli drone strikes town of Harouf, Nabatieh district.
Factions' statement: The attendees agreed to support and continue implementing the ceasefire agreement measures, including the withdrawal of the occupation and lifting the siege.
Factions' statement: Calling for an end to all forms of torture and violations against prisoners in occupation prisons and the necessity of obligating the occupation to do so.
Statement: The current moment is crucial, making the meeting a true turning point toward national unity in defense of our people and their right to life, dignity, and freedom.
Factions' statement: Call for an urgent meeting of all Palestinian forces and factions to agree on a national strategy.
Factions' statement: Continuing joint work to unify visions and positions to confront the challenges facing the Palestinian cause.
Statement of the factions: Emphasis on the unity of the Palestinian political system and the independent national decision.
Statement: Approval to establish an international committee to oversee the financing and implementation of the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.
Statement: The committee is responsible for managing life and services in cooperation with Arab brothers and international institutions, based on transparency and accountability.

DPRK starts dismantling border loudspeakers after South’s move

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 10 Aug 2025 13:06
4 Min Read

The DPRK has begun removing some border loudspeakers after South Korea took similar steps, signalling a rare easing of tensions under President Lee Jae Myung.

Listen
  • x
  • Visitors look through a wire fence decorated with ribbons written with messages wishing for the reunification of the two Koreas at the Imjingak Pavilion in Paju, South Korea, Sunday, June 30, 2019 (AP)
    Visitors look through a wire fence decorated with ribbons written with messages wishing for the reunification of the two Koreas at the Imjingak Pavilion in Paju, South Korea, Sunday, June 30, 2019 (AP)

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea has begun dismantling some of its loudspeakers along the border, South Korea’s military said, in what appears to be a reciprocal gesture after Seoul took similar steps last week.

In a statement on Saturday, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said DPRK troops were seen removing loudspeakers in parts of the frontline area from Saturday morning. The military did not disclose exact locations and stressed that further monitoring was needed to confirm whether the dismantling was taking place across all border regions.

The development is among the first tangible signs of rapprochement between the two Koreas since President Lee Jae Myung took office in June, replacing conservative predecessor Yoon Suk Yeol. Shortly after his inauguration, Lee halted Seoul’s propaganda broadcasts aimed at the DPRK in an attempt to revive stalled dialogue. Pyongyang reportedly stopped its own broadcasts in June.

South Korea starts dismantling its speakers

Last week, South Korea began dismantling its border speakers, which had been used to air news critical of the DPRK leadership, messages about democratic and capitalist society, and K-pop music. These broadcasts were said to travel over 20km into DPRK territory.

In the past, residents in border areas have complained that DPRK speakers retaliated with irritating noises, including howling animals and pounding gongs.

Related News

South Korean worker in year-long trial over 73 cent snack ‘theft’

DPRK warns of escalation after South Korean warning shots at DMZ

The DPRK has not officially commented on the dismantling of its equipment. The South’s previous conservative administration had resumed loudspeaker broadcasts in June last year in retaliation for Pyongyang sending rubbish-filled balloons across the border.

President Lee has taken additional steps to reduce tensions, including asking civic groups to suspend anti-DPRK leaflet drops and postponing parts of the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield joint drills with the US, due to take place in the coming weeks.

Seoul says propaganda broadcasts halted

In June, following the election of President Lee Jae Myung, Seoul's military announced that the nations, still technically at war, had already stopped propaganda broadcasts across the demilitarized zone.

South Korea reported that Pyongyang had ceased broadcasting strange, disruptive noises along the border, which had grown into a significant annoyance for South Korean residents, just one day after Seoul turned off its loudspeakers.

"Starting today, the military has begun removing the loudspeakers," spokesman of the South's Defense Ministry, Lee Kyung-ho, told reporters on Monday, noting that the measure comes as an attempt to reduce tensions with the DPRK.

He also stated that all border loudspeakers would be dismantled by the end of the week, though he did not specify how many would be removed.

'Restoring trust'

Following the impeachment of his predecessor over a failed martial law declaration, the newly elected President Lee ordered the military to halt the broadcasts as part of an effort to "restore trust".

Pyongyang sent a wave of trash-laden balloons across the border last year after South Korean activists sent propaganda leaflets to the DPRK. The previous administration then initiated the loudspeaker broadcasts in retaliation, but President Lee, seeking to ease tensions and foster better ties with the DPRK, pledged to halt them. 

Breaking from the prolonged stalemate under his predecessor, Lee has expressed his willingness to engage in unconditional talks with the North. The DPRK has yet to accept dialogue with its southern neighbor, with the Deputy Department Director of the Publicity and Information Department of the Workers' Party of Korea, Kim Yo Jong, stating, "If the ROK... expected that it could reverse all the results it had made with a few sentimental words, nothing is more serious miscalculation than it."

  • DPRK
  • North Korea
  • South Korea
  • Pyongyang
  • Seoul

Most Read

From previous scenes of the Qassam Brigades targeting an Israeli D9 bulldozer with a Yassin 105 shell, east of Deir al-Balah. (Military Media of the Qassam Brigades)

US knew fatal Rafah blast cause was not Hamas op., says journalist

  • Politics
  • 20 Oct 2025
'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Undated photo of Hanwha Ocean’s Goeje Shipyard in South Korea (Hanwha Ocean)
Politics

China counters US maritime bloc with sanctions on Hanwha Ocean

Catherine Connolly speaks after being after being elected as the new President of Ireland at Dublin Castle, Ireland, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (AP)
Politics

Connolly wins Irish presidency in blow to political establishment

Buildings destroyed during the Israeli air and ground offensive are seen in the Al-Shati camp, in Gaza City, Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. (AP)
Politics

'Israel's' post-ceasefire demolitions in Gaza violate agreement: Hamas

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi attends the 17th annual BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 7, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Iran’s Araghchi: Our nuclear bomb is resilience, not weapons

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS