N. Korea Begins Dismantling Border Loudspeakers

North Korea has begun dismantling some of its border propaganda loudspeakers in what appears to be its first reciprocal gesture towards South Korea since President Lee Jae Myung assumed office in June.

According to Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), South Korean forces observed North Korean troops removing the devices in certain frontline sections on Saturday morning.

The JCS said it remains unclear whether the removal is taking place across the entire border and confirmed ongoing surveillance of related activity.

Officials have not yet determined the total number of loudspeakers taken down, and Pyongyang has issued no public statement on the matter.

The move follows Seoul’s suspension of its own propaganda broadcasts in June as a practical measure to ease tensions, which prompted North Korea to halt its broadcasts the following day.

South Korea’s loudspeakers had been used to transmit K-pop music, news, and political messages across the border, while Pyongyang’s devices emitted disruptive noise, often complained about by border residents.

President Lee has signaled a shift from his predecessor’s hard-line stance, halting broadcasts and urging civic groups to stop sending anti-North leaflets. He has also expressed willingness to meet North Korea’s leadership without preconditions.

Bilateral relations had sharply deteriorated in recent years, with North Korea deepening ties with Russia after the invasion of Ukraine and South Korea strengthening security cooperation with the United States and Japan.