Lee voices hope to open door to dialogue with N. Korea as Pyongyang begins removing some loudspeakers

President Lee Jae Myung, right, speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the presidential office in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap

President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday voiced hopes to open the door to dialogue with North Korea, after South Korea's military said the North dismantled some of its propaganda loudspeakers on the inter-Korean border.

"We have been recently dismantling our loudspeakers along the border and I understand the North has also removed some of its loudspeakers, though I am not certain if it is complete," Lee told a Cabinet meeting.

"I hope such reciprocal measures will gradually lead to dialogue and communication between the two sides," Lee said, according to the presidential office.

Late last week, South Korea's military said North Korea has recently begun dismantling some loudspeakers along the border, after Seoul completed removing its fixed anti-Pyongyang loudspeakers.

The move by Seoul was in line with Lee's efforts to mend strained ties with Pyongyang.