South/North Korea Feud: South suspends loudspeaker announcements along inter-Korean border with North
South Korea’s military has shut down loudspeakers broadcasting anti-North Korean propaganda along the inter-Korean border, marking the new liberal government’s first concrete step toward easing tensions between the war-divided rivals.
South Korea’s Defence Ministry said Wednesday (June 11, 2025) the move was part of efforts “to restore trust in inter-Korean relations and promote peace on the Korean Peninsula.”
The move came about a year after the South Korean military started the broadcasts near the Demilitarized Zone in June of last year in response to the North’s repeated launches across the border of trash-carrying balloons.
The presidential office said President Lee Jae-myung ordered the suspension. It also said, “The measure reflects the government’s commitment to restoring trust in inter-Korean relations and establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula.”
It added that the president took the step to implement the things he pledged during the presidential election campaign.
Lee, who took office last week, is taking a conciliatory stance toward Pyongyang, in contrast to the previous administration. He has vowed to open channels of communication with the North and work toward peace on the Korean Peninsula through dialogue and cooperation.
The new South Korean government also asked private organizations to suspend their anti-Pyongyang leaflet campaigns.
South Korean media outlets reported that a series of measures are apparently being taken to build an atmosphere conducive to holding dialogues with North Korea.
The Cold War-style psychological warfare campaigns added to tensions fueled by North Korea’s growing nuclear ambitions and South Korean efforts to expand joint military exercises with the United States and strengthen three-way security cooperation with Japan.
From May to November last year, North Korea flew thousands of balloons toward South Korea to drop substances such as wastepaper, cloth scraps, cigarette butts and even manure. The North said its balloon campaign came after South Korean activists sent over balloons filled with anti-North Korean leaflets, as well as USB sticks filled with popular South Korean songs and dramas.
Trash carried by at least one North Korean balloon fell on the South Korean presidential compound in July, raising concerns about the vulnerability of key South Korean facilities. Officials said the balloon contained no dangerous material and no one was hurt.