Earlier this week, South Korea's military reported that North Korea had removed some of its loudspeakers following Seoul's razing some of its own. It called the claim "a foolish and wrong" conclusion that did not "deserve a response," as Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and deputy director of the ruling party's propaganda department, put it.
Noise War at the Border
South Korean broadcasts are particularly aimed at North Korea; they are broadcasting propaganda messages and K-pop songs to the north, before unleashing millions of decibels of unsettling noise like barking dogs or howling wolves in retaliation. Some residents in the border areas have complained of what they say is helicopter-related noise running as late as 10 p.m. North Korea has in the past called Seoul's loudspeakers an act of war and tried to destroy them across the border.
South Korea in June 2024 restarted using loudspeakers to broadcast propaganda, a practice that remained from the hardline approach towards the North taken by then-president Yoon Suk Yeol. The move was reportedly in retaliation for North Korea starting to send balloons constructed of rubbish across the border.
Policy Tweaks, But Rising Tensions
Ties between the two states seemed to be on the mend since South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, who ran on better inter-Korean relations, took office in June. Seoul then suspended its border broadcasts not long after taking office, saying it wanted to help ease tensions and promote peace on the Korean Peninsula.
Despite this, tensions remain high. This month, North Korea had warned of "resolute counteraction" to any provocations as South Korea and the U.S. plan for joint military exercises later in November.
