South Korea removes border propaganda speakers to ease tensions with North

South Korea has started to remove propaganda loudspeakers along its border with North Korea in an effort to reduce tensions, Seoul’s military said.

The South's ministry clarified that the move marked a "practical measure aimed at easing tensions", but did not affect its military's readiness.

The ministry did not provide specifics on the removal process, nor did it clarify whether the loudspeakers may be reinstalled if tensions rise again.

Prior to the dismantling of the speakers, there had been no communication between the two Koreas, spokesperson for the ministry Lee Kyung-ho said.

The speakers used to blare anti-North Korean propaganda and K-pop songs across the border, a move that hit a nerve as Kim Jong-un's government had been intensifying its campaign to remove the influence of South Korean pop culture and language.

After the election in June, the South's new liberal government decided to switch off the speakers, in a move to revive dialogue and rebuild trust with Pyongyang.

The previous conservative government had turned them on in June 2024 and played daily broadcasts, in retaliation for North Korea flying trash-filled balloons across the border.

The Cold War-style psychological warfare campaigns further heightened tensions already inflamed by North Korea’s advancing nuclear programme and South Korean efforts to expand joint military exercises with the United States and their trilateral security cooperation with Japan.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung replaced ousted conservative Yoon Suk-yeol after winning an early election in June. He had vowed to improve ties with Pyongyang, which reacted angrily to Yoon’s hard-line policies and refused to engage in dialogue.

North Korea has not yet commented on South Korea's decision to remove the speakers.