South Korea Halts Propaganda Broadcasts at the Border

• South Korea has stopped propaganda broadcasts at the border to reduce tensions.
• Lee Jae-myung promised to restore trust in inter-Korean relations and revive communication.
• The deepening ties between North Korea and Russia raise concerns about Pyongyang's nuclear program.

This was reported by Deutsche Welle, NBC News.

South Korea halted its propaganda broadcasts against North Korea at the border on Wednesday, marking the first significant step by the new president Lee Jae-myung to ease tensions between the two countries.

On Thursday, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff reported that North Korea also appears to have stopped its broadcasts directed at the South, although the status of an official cessation of the campaign from Pyongyang remains uncertain.

Lee Jae-myung pledged to stop the broadcasts as part of his campaign promises aimed at "restoring trust in inter-Korean relations and promoting peace on the Korean Peninsula."

Psychological Warfare

The broadcasts, which included propaganda messages and K-pop music, were resumed in June 2024 after North Korea launched thousands of balloons with trash southward as part of a psychological campaign.

In response, Pyongyang began broadcasting its own sounds, which included howling animals and loud noises.

Residents of border areas have long complained about noise from both sides.

Seoul Seeks to Restore Communication

These broadcasts became part of a conflict reminiscent of the Cold War, exacerbated by the development of North Korea's nuclear program and close military ties with Russia.

In his inaugural speech, Lee promised to restore communication channels with North Korea. However, the prospects for this remain uncertain as Pyongyang continues to reject diplomatic initiatives.

In recent years, nuclear North Korea has grown closer to Moscow, supplying thousands of troops and a significant amount of military equipment to support Russia's war in Ukraine.

Concerns are rising that the deepening ties between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin could lead to the transfer of technologies that would enhance North Korea's nuclear program.

Теги: Політика