South Korea will resume loudspeaker broadcasts today
This file photo shows a set of loudspeakers used to broadcast anti-Pyongyang messages near the Demilitarized Zone. / Yonhap
By Kang Seung-woo
South Korea will resume propaganda loudspeaker broadcasts along the border with North Korea at noon today in retaliation against Pyongyang’s fourth nuclear test, Cheong Wa Dae said, Thursday.
The broadcast was suspended four months ago after the two Korea reached an agreement to promote peace on Aug. 25.
“The North’s nuclear test violated its obligations and commitments with the international community and failed to honor the Aug. 25 agreement,” said Cho Tae-yong, deputy chief of the National Security Office, during a briefing.
Under the inter-Korean deal, Seoul stopped blaring propaganda messages critical of the Kim Jong-un regime at the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and agreed not to resume them unless “abnormal” events should take place. The South views the nuclear test as an abnormal situation, Cho said.
“As a result, the government has decided to resume the propaganda broadcasts at noon on Jan. 8,” he said.
In retaliation for the North’s landmine attack in the DMZ on Aug. 4 that seriously injured two South Korean soldiers, the South turned on giant speakers broadcasting propaganda messages across the border on Aug. 10 for the first time in 11 years. At that time, the military operated loudspeakers along the border, bringing mobile speakers into use, as well.
Angered by the broadcasts, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un put his military on a quasi-state of war footing, and threatened to attack the South. Tensions on the Korean Peninsula were defused after high-level inter-Korean talks reached the agreement on Aug. 25.
The propaganda broadcasts critical of the North Korean dictator and its political system are part of a psychological warfare program and the North has reacted sensitively to such tactics, apparently concerned about the possible effects it might have on its military and people.
Given that the propaganda broadcasts resume on the North Korean leader’s birthday, the North is expected to strongly respond to what it claims to be an insult to its dignity.
In preparation for any possible provocations from the Stalinist country, the government said that the military remains on high alert.
“If the North makes military provocations, we will sternly retaliate against them,” Cho said.