S Korea begins removing anti-North Korea loudspeakers
Seoul's defence ministry revealed the move on Monday, as the new government of President Lee Jae Myung seeks to ease tensions with Pyongyang.
Shortly after he took office in June, Lee's administration switched off propaganda broadcasts criticising the North Korean regime as it looks to revive stalled dialogue with its neighbour.
But North Korea recently rebuffed the overtures and said it had no interest in talking to South Korea.
South Korea's dismantling of the loudspeakers is just a "practical measure to help ease tensions between the South and the North," the ministry said in a statement.
Soldiers could be seen unplugging loudspeakers, mounted together like a wall, and taking them down, photographs provided by the defence ministry show.
The countries remain technically at war after the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a truce and relations have deteriorated in the last few years.
Propaganda broadcast through loudspeakers across the border has been used by both sides as relations between South and North Korea have ebbed and flowed over the years.
In 2018, the then President Moon Jae-in dismantled the loudspeakers as his administration agreed to stop every hostile act that could be a source for military tensions.
But last year former conservative leader Yoon Suk Yeol restarted propaganda broadcasts and blasts of K-pop music in retaliation for North Korea sending balloons to the South filled with trash amid heightened tensions.
Since Seoul suspended its own loudspeaker broadcasts in June, North Korea appears to have stopped its broadcasts, which had disturbed South Korean border residents for months, officials in the South say.
Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, recently said, however, South Korea's decision to stop the broadcasts was "not the work worthy of appreciation".
South Korean authorities have begun removing loudspeakers blaring anti-North Korea broadcasts along the border that divides the two nations.
Seoul's defence ministry revealed the move on Monday, as the new government of President Lee Jae Myung seeks to ease tensions with Pyongyang.
Shortly after he took office in June, Lee's administration switched off propaganda broadcasts criticising the North Korean regime as it looks to revive stalled dialogue with its neighbour.
But North Korea recently rebuffed the overtures and said it had no interest in talking to South Korea.
South Korea's dismantling of the loudspeakers is just a "practical measure to help ease tensions between the South and the North," the ministry said in a statement.
Soldiers could be seen unplugging loudspeakers, mounted together like a wall, and taking them down, photographs provided by the defence ministry show.
The countries remain technically at war after the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a truce and relations have deteriorated in the last few years.
Propaganda broadcast through loudspeakers across the border has been used by both sides as relations between South and North Korea have ebbed and flowed over the years.
In 2018, the then President Moon Jae-in dismantled the loudspeakers as his administration agreed to stop every hostile act that could be a source for military tensions.
But last year former conservative leader Yoon Suk Yeol restarted propaganda broadcasts and blasts of K-pop music in retaliation for North Korea sending balloons to the South filled with trash amid heightened tensions.
Since Seoul suspended its own loudspeaker broadcasts in June, North Korea appears to have stopped its broadcasts, which had disturbed South Korean border residents for months, officials in the South say.
Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, recently said, however, South Korea's decision to stop the broadcasts was "not the work worthy of appreciation".
South Korean authorities have begun removing loudspeakers blaring anti-North Korea broadcasts along the border that divides the two nations.
Seoul's defence ministry revealed the move on Monday, as the new government of President Lee Jae Myung seeks to ease tensions with Pyongyang.
Shortly after he took office in June, Lee's administration switched off propaganda broadcasts criticising the North Korean regime as it looks to revive stalled dialogue with its neighbour.
But North Korea recently rebuffed the overtures and said it had no interest in talking to South Korea.
South Korea's dismantling of the loudspeakers is just a "practical measure to help ease tensions between the South and the North," the ministry said in a statement.
Soldiers could be seen unplugging loudspeakers, mounted together like a wall, and taking them down, photographs provided by the defence ministry show.
The countries remain technically at war after the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a truce and relations have deteriorated in the last few years.
Propaganda broadcast through loudspeakers across the border has been used by both sides as relations between South and North Korea have ebbed and flowed over the years.
In 2018, the then President Moon Jae-in dismantled the loudspeakers as his administration agreed to stop every hostile act that could be a source for military tensions.
But last year former conservative leader Yoon Suk Yeol restarted propaganda broadcasts and blasts of K-pop music in retaliation for North Korea sending balloons to the South filled with trash amid heightened tensions.
Since Seoul suspended its own loudspeaker broadcasts in June, North Korea appears to have stopped its broadcasts, which had disturbed South Korean border residents for months, officials in the South say.
Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, recently said, however, South Korea's decision to stop the broadcasts was "not the work worthy of appreciation".
South Korean authorities have begun removing loudspeakers blaring anti-North Korea broadcasts along the border that divides the two nations.
Seoul's defence ministry revealed the move on Monday, as the new government of President Lee Jae Myung seeks to ease tensions with Pyongyang.
Shortly after he took office in June, Lee's administration switched off propaganda broadcasts criticising the North Korean regime as it looks to revive stalled dialogue with its neighbour.
But North Korea recently rebuffed the overtures and said it had no interest in talking to South Korea.
South Korea's dismantling of the loudspeakers is just a "practical measure to help ease tensions between the South and the North," the ministry said in a statement.
Soldiers could be seen unplugging loudspeakers, mounted together like a wall, and taking them down, photographs provided by the defence ministry show.
The countries remain technically at war after the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a truce and relations have deteriorated in the last few years.
Propaganda broadcast through loudspeakers across the border has been used by both sides as relations between South and North Korea have ebbed and flowed over the years.
In 2018, the then President Moon Jae-in dismantled the loudspeakers as his administration agreed to stop every hostile act that could be a source for military tensions.
But last year former conservative leader Yoon Suk Yeol restarted propaganda broadcasts and blasts of K-pop music in retaliation for North Korea sending balloons to the South filled with trash amid heightened tensions.
Since Seoul suspended its own loudspeaker broadcasts in June, North Korea appears to have stopped its broadcasts, which had disturbed South Korean border residents for months, officials in the South say.
Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, recently said, however, South Korea's decision to stop the broadcasts was "not the work worthy of appreciation".
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S Korea begins removing anti-North Korea loudspeakers
South Korean authorities have begun removing loudspeakers blaring anti-North Korea broadcasts along the border that divides the two nations. Seoul's defence ministry revealed the move on Monday, as the new government of President Lee Jae Myung seeks to ease tensions with Pyongyang. Shortly after he took office in June, Lee's administration switched off propaganda broadcasts criticising the North Korean regime as it looks to revive stalled dialogue with its neighbour. But North Korea recently rebuffed the overtures and said it had no interest in talking to South Korea. South Korea's dismantling of the loudspeakers is just a "practical measure to help ease tensions between the South and the North," the ministry said in a statement. Soldiers could be seen unplugging loudspeakers, mounted together like a wall, and taking them down, photographs provided by the defence ministry show. The countries remain technically at war after the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a truce and relations have deteriorated in the last few years. Propaganda broadcast through loudspeakers across the border has been used by both sides as relations between South and North Korea have ebbed and flowed over the years. In 2018, the then President Moon Jae-in dismantled the loudspeakers as his administration agreed to stop every hostile act that could be a source for military tensions. But last year former conservative leader Yoon Suk Yeol restarted propaganda broadcasts and blasts of K-pop music in retaliation for North Korea sending balloons to the South filled with trash amid heightened tensions. Since Seoul suspended its own loudspeaker broadcasts in June, North Korea appears to have stopped its broadcasts, which had disturbed South Korean border residents for months, officials in the South say. Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, recently said, however, South Korea's decision to stop the broadcasts was "not the work worthy of appreciation". South Korean authorities have begun removing loudspeakers blaring anti-North Korea broadcasts along the border that divides the two nations. Seoul's defence ministry revealed the move on Monday, as the new government of President Lee Jae Myung seeks to ease tensions with Pyongyang. Shortly after he took office in June, Lee's administration switched off propaganda broadcasts criticising the North Korean regime as it looks to revive stalled dialogue with its neighbour. But North Korea recently rebuffed the overtures and said it had no interest in talking to South Korea. South Korea's dismantling of the loudspeakers is just a "practical measure to help ease tensions between the South and the North," the ministry said in a statement. Soldiers could be seen unplugging loudspeakers, mounted together like a wall, and taking them down, photographs provided by the defence ministry show. The countries remain technically at war after the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a truce and relations have deteriorated in the last few years. Propaganda broadcast through loudspeakers across the border has been used by both sides as relations between South and North Korea have ebbed and flowed over the years. In 2018, the then President Moon Jae-in dismantled the loudspeakers as his administration agreed to stop every hostile act that could be a source for military tensions. But last year former conservative leader Yoon Suk Yeol restarted propaganda broadcasts and blasts of K-pop music in retaliation for North Korea sending balloons to the South filled with trash amid heightened tensions. Since Seoul suspended its own loudspeaker broadcasts in June, North Korea appears to have stopped its broadcasts, which had disturbed South Korean border residents for months, officials in the South say. Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, recently said, however, South Korea's decision to stop the broadcasts was "not the work worthy of appreciation". South Korean authorities have begun removing loudspeakers blaring anti-North Korea broadcasts along the border that divides the two nations. Seoul's defence ministry revealed the move on Monday, as the new government of President Lee Jae Myung seeks to ease tensions with Pyongyang. Shortly after he took office in June, Lee's administration switched off propaganda broadcasts criticising the North Korean regime as it looks to revive stalled dialogue with its neighbour. But North Korea recently rebuffed the overtures and said it had no interest in talking to South Korea. South Korea's dismantling of the loudspeakers is just a "practical measure to help ease tensions between the South and the North," the ministry said in a statement. Soldiers could be seen unplugging loudspeakers, mounted together like a wall, and taking them down, photographs provided by the defence ministry show. The countries remain technically at war after the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a truce and relations have deteriorated in the last few years. Propaganda broadcast through loudspeakers across the border has been used by both sides as relations between South and North Korea have ebbed and flowed over the years. In 2018, the then President Moon Jae-in dismantled the loudspeakers as his administration agreed to stop every hostile act that could be a source for military tensions. But last year former conservative leader Yoon Suk Yeol restarted propaganda broadcasts and blasts of K-pop music in retaliation for North Korea sending balloons to the South filled with trash amid heightened tensions. Since Seoul suspended its own loudspeaker broadcasts in June, North Korea appears to have stopped its broadcasts, which had disturbed South Korean border residents for months, officials in the South say. Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, recently said, however, South Korea's decision to stop the broadcasts was "not the work worthy of appreciation". South Korean authorities have begun removing loudspeakers blaring anti-North Korea broadcasts along the border that divides the two nations. Seoul's defence ministry revealed the move on Monday, as the new government of President Lee Jae Myung seeks to ease tensions with Pyongyang. Shortly after he took office in June, Lee's administration switched off propaganda broadcasts criticising the North Korean regime as it looks to revive stalled dialogue with its neighbour. But North Korea recently rebuffed the overtures and said it had no interest in talking to South Korea. South Korea's dismantling of the loudspeakers is just a "practical measure to help ease tensions between the South and the North," the ministry said in a statement. Soldiers could be seen unplugging loudspeakers, mounted together like a wall, and taking them down, photographs provided by the defence ministry show. The countries remain technically at war after the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a truce and relations have deteriorated in the last few years. Propaganda broadcast through loudspeakers across the border has been used by both sides as relations between South and North Korea have ebbed and flowed over the years. In 2018, the then President Moon Jae-in dismantled the loudspeakers as his administration agreed to stop every hostile act that could be a source for military tensions. But last year former conservative leader Yoon Suk Yeol restarted propaganda broadcasts and blasts of K-pop music in retaliation for North Korea sending balloons to the South filled with trash amid heightened tensions. Since Seoul suspended its own loudspeaker broadcasts in June, North Korea appears to have stopped its broadcasts, which had disturbed South Korean border residents for months, officials in the South say. Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, recently said, however, South Korea's decision to stop the broadcasts was "not the work worthy of appreciation".
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To submit a letter to The Age, email letters@ Please include your home address and telephone number below your letter. No attachments. See here for our rules and tips on getting your letter published. GAZA PROTESTS The perversity of Sunday's police blockade of Kingsway to prevent a peace rally blocking this bridge was self-evident (' 100,000 march in Melbourne and Sydney to protest Israel's bombardment of Gaza ', 3/8). The pretext was always tenuous: temporary closure of a single Yarra crossing was never 'life-threatening', reflected in Sydney's judicial precedent. But this display sends a chilling message. Is there an element within police command with an agenda to suppress civil expression? This has happened before in Melbourne, but was quickly rebalanced. The 1971 protest against the sports-washing apartheid era Springbok rugby tour was met with an unprovoked cavalry charge and random baton bashing of many participants and observers, including ABC's Noel Norton hit while on-camera. The backlash resulted in a more restrained and proportionate approach to policing of growing anti-Vietnam War rallies, which swung Australian attitudes and political decisions. Hopefully some positive changes – for both policing and for Gaza – may also flow from Sunday's low point in Victoria's approach to policing of community expression. Rod Duncan, Brunswick East Disruption unnecessary The east coast of Australia is approximately 14,000 kilometres from the Gaza Strip. I am at loss to understand why the pro-Palestinian protesters are closing down critical infrastructure in Melbourne and Sydney, such as major bridges, which results in significant traffic disruption and inconvenience for many ('Bridges to peace', 4/8). How this can provide any tangible beneficial outcomes for Gazans, it eludes me. Dennis Walker, North Melbourne Part of a bigger cause The suggestion by your correspondent ('Unseen, uncaring?' Letters 3/8) that Palestinian-focused protests ignore other atrocities misunderstands the broad, intersectional scope of these movements. The weekly CBD protests do not exist in isolation or ignorance of Sudan, the Congo, West Papua, or any number of global catastrophes. In fact, they consistently amplify a wide spectrum of struggles: against settler colonialism, war crimes, environmental destruction, racism, transphobia, and the brutal treatment of refugees. To imply that protesters only care about Gaza is to erase the deep, informed compassion that drives our protest actions, and the global solidarity that underpins them. Movements for justice understand that Sudanese lives, like Palestinian, East Timorese, Tamil, and Indigenous lives, matter deeply. And are all bound by structures of imperialism, corporate greed, and racial violence. Paul Evans, Carrum Downs Not manipulated The comments by Alex Ryvchin, chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, that tens of thousands of Sydneysiders were 'manipulated', and were 'unwitting' participants in a peaceful protest are strikingly similar to the comments made by Liberals that Liberal voters were conned and duped into voting for teals in 2022. I think in both cases the people knew exactly what they were doing. Anastasios Moralis, Ormond Food as a weapon The video of Evyatar David (' Outrage after Hamas releases video of emaciated Israeli hostage ', 3/8) is devastating. His suffering is real, and my heart breaks for him and his family. But it must not be used to distract from the broader horror. On the same day the footage was released, six Palestinians died of starvation, according to Gaza's health ministry. More than 1 million are facing famine-like conditions. Hostages are suffering. So are 2 million civilians. In the video, David says his portion of food is meant to last two days. Maybe that wasn't just a cry for himself – but for everyone trapped under siege. Israel's blockade has turned Gaza into a place where food is a weapon. That blockade is still in place. Lila Malagi, Flinders THE FORUM Limits of recognition Ben Saul's argument blaming Israel for the failure to achieve a Palestinian state ('We should recognise Palestine. Now' 4/8) ignores the history. Israel accepted the UN partition plan for two states in 1948. The Arab leaders refused, instead starting a war designed to destroy the Jewish state. Israel offered a Palestinian state encompassing almost all the Palestinians claimed to want at Camp David in 2000, upped the offer in 2001, and improved it again in 2008. Palestinian leaders rejected each offer, and various subsequent Israeli initiatives designed to lead to peace. Since 2014, the Palestinian Authority has refused to speak to Israel at all. In 2005, Israel totally withdrew from Gaza, and instead of a peaceful neighbour, got a Hamas-run terror enclave. Saul says the root cause of Hamas terrorism is the occupation, but, like ISIS, the cause is the fundamentalist determination that the whole area be under Islamist rule. Recognition now would just show the Palestinians that rejectionism and terrorism work – senior Hamas official Gazi Hamad said the moves to recognition are the fruit of October 7. Recognition should only come once Hamas no longer rules Gaza, and the Palestinian Authority genuinely negotiates a two-state peace, as required by the Oslo Accords it signed.
