North-South Loudspeaker Broadcast Suspension, Sign of Tension Easing

Following President Lee Jae-myung's directive to halt loudspeaker broadcasts targeting North Korea, it has been reported that North Korea has also ceased its noise broadcasts towards South Korea.

On the 12th, the Joint Chiefs of Staff officially announced, "No areas reported hearing North Korea's noise broadcasts today," stating, "We are closely monitoring North Korea's related movements."

This is interpreted as North Korea's corresponding response to President Lee Jae-myung's directive to suspend loudspeaker broadcasts directed at the North the day before.

On the 11th, the President ordered the complete cessation of loudspeaker broadcasts operating in the frontline areas targeting North Korea, leading to the suspension of all loudspeaker broadcasts that had been operating along all fronts since July of the previous year, which officially stopped at 2 PM on the 11th.

A military official explained, "North Korea's noise broadcasts varied by region in content and operational hours," adding that "the last noise broadcast targeting the South was heard late last night along the western front, and there have been none since." This suggests that the South's broadcasts were also halted shortly after the cessation of the loudspeaker broadcasts directed at the North.

Measures for Building Trust for Peace on the Korean Peninsula

The government explained that the halt of the loudspeaker broadcasts targeting the North is a measure aimed at restoring trust in inter-Korean relations and establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula. This decision is viewed as a practical first step to alleviate the heightened tensions between the two Koreas.

The Presidential Office confirmed on the same day that North Korea has ceased its loudspeaker broadcasts towards the South, and the military stated that they are monitoring North Korea's related trends closely.

The loudspeaker broadcasts between the North and South have been used as part of psychological warfare, and the simultaneous cessation by both sides may be interpreted as a signal indicating potential improvement in inter-Korean relations.

Experts are watching closely to see if this action goes beyond a mere suspension of broadcasts and could pave the way for the resumption of dialogue between the North and South.

The military authorities are closely observing North Korea's further reactions and future actions while keeping a vigilant watch on the situation.

Image source: North Korean outpost and loudspeakers targeting the South viewed from the border area in Paju, Gyeonggi Province on June 12, 2025 / News1, President Lee Jae-myung / News1