North Korea Rejects South’s Account of Speaker Removal

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North Korea has dismissed South Korea's assertions that it removed propaganda loudspeakers along their shared border. Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korea's leader, dismissed the claim as a "red herring", insisting that no one ever touched the speakers.

In a statement on Thursday via state media KCNA, Kim declared, “We have no will to improve relations.” This comes after South Korea’s military reported North Korea dismantled some loudspeakers, following South Korea's own removal of its speakers.

The ongoing dispute over the border broadcasts is not new. South Korea often blasted K-pop across the border, while North Korean speakers emitted unsettling sounds, including animal howls. Residents living nearby complained about the commotion, which sometimes continued late into the night, reported the BBC.

This dispute is not just about noise. For Pyongyang, the broadcasts from Seoul are considered acts of war, which have even led to previous threats to destroy the speakers. After a six-year hiatus, South Korea restarted their broadcasts in June 2024 under US president Yoon Suk Yeol, who pushed a hardline policy against the North. The move was in retaliation to North Korea sending rubbish-filled balloons southward, escalating tensions.

However, the arrival of President Lee Jae-myung seemed to usher in a new era. Lee, promoting improved inter-Korean relations, halted the broadcasts to foster trust and aim for peace in the region.

Yet, despite these efforts, underlying tensions persist. Recently, North Korea warned of a “resolute counteraction” in response to joint military exercises by South Korea and the US, hinting at ongoing unease.

In a region fraught with historical and political sensitivities, loudspeaker battles reflect the deep-seated issues dividing the Korean Peninsula. Both nations are grappling with balancing propaganda warfare and diplomatic engagement, making future interactions unpredictable. As tensions continue to simmer, all eyes are focused on the unfolding of these geopolitical manoeuvres.

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-08-15