On August 4, South Korea’s military began the process of dismantling anti-North Korea loudspeakers positioned along the inter-Korean border, in line with President Lee Jaemyeong’s call for “restoring trust between the two Koreas.”

The Ministry of National Defense confirmed the operation, stating, “We are implementing tangible measures to de-escalate inter-Korean tensions without compromising our readiness posture.” This follows a full suspension of loudspeaker broadcasts on June 11, just days into President Lee’s term, as part of his administration’s efforts to revive trust with Pyongyang.

The armed forces had been operating roughly 40 loudspeakers—24 fixed and 16 mobile units—along the border. Following the broadcast halt, mobile loudspeakers were withdrawn from operation. Now, approximately 20 fixed installations are slated for removal. According to Deputy Spokesperson Lee Kyungho of the Defense Ministry, “After discussions among relevant departments, we decided on removal as a follow-up measure. There was no prior consultation with North Korea; this is a preemptive move made solely on our side.” The removal is expected to be completed within a few days, focusing on permanent installations, while the treatment of mobile units will depend on circumstances as they evolve.

North Korea, for its part, also ceased its propaganda broadcasts targeting the South after South Korea’s decision in June. The North has operated around 40 fixed loudspeakers; while signs of maintenance work have been observed, there is yet no evidence of similar removal operations.

“Our military remains fully vigilant and will respond based on military judgment as North Korea’s future responses are closely monitored,” emphasized the Ministry of National Defense.

‘Undermining Security, Not Building Trust’—Strong Opposition Critique

The decision has met fierce criticism from opposition parties, who have labeled the removal of loudspeakers a “self-destructive security measure.” Loudspeaker broadcasts targeting the North had resumed in 2023 under the Yoon Sukyeol administration, six years after they were last halted, as a response to North Korea’s balloon-based provocations. However, the Lee Jaemyeong administration quickly suspended the broadcasts within a week of taking office and has now moved to dismantle the installations after just 55 days, in line with a wider push to reduce tensions.

Members of the National Assembly’s Defense Committee, belonging to the People Power Party, issued a stern statement. “The suspension and removal have proceeded at breakneck speed, barely a week into the new administration,” argued Representative Sung Iljong and others. “It sounds as if Kim Jong Un himself is laughing at this turn of events,” they sharply criticized.

They added, “When similar loudspeaker removals took place during the Moon Jae-in administration, it resulted in the ‘waste balloon’ provocations and the destruction of the inter-Korean liaison office. The Lee Jaemyeong administration is repeating a failed policy.” The opposition further insisted that, rather than dismantling the loudspeakers, maintaining and managing them would have provided leverage in future dealings with North Korea, calling the move “self-harming.”

Criticism of President Lee’s North Korea policy has continued unabated. People Power Party lawmakers accused the Minister of Unification of “adjusting joint South Korea-U.S. military drills out of consideration for North Korea’s mood” and questioned, “Is this really a country if we cannot conduct exercises for fear of upsetting Pyongyang?” They further alleged, “The only ones to benefit from pandering to North Korea are President Lee Jaemyeong and the Democratic Party. Is this yet another event designed for electoral gain, as seen under the previous administration?”

Note “This article was translated from the original Korean version using AI assistance, and subsequently edited by a native-speaking journalist.”

Photo=Yonhap News Agency