The South Korean military has been using loudspeaker broadcasts to counter North Korea’s trash-carrying balloons. In response, North Korea has begun emitting noises from its loudspeakers directed towards the South, presumably to disrupt the South Korean broadcasts.
According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), North Korea has been emitting bussing noises from its loudspeakers directed towards the South since last Saturday. This noise emission continues daily, with locations changing periodically.
It has been reported that no specific messages or music are being broadcast from North Korea.
The JCS stated that further analysis is required to determine if this action aims to block North Korean soldiers and residents from hearing South Korean broadcasts or if it is part of preparation for a broader broadcasting campaign targeting the South.
A JCS official noted that the noise North Korea is generating near the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) does not stop soldiers and residents from hearing South Korean loudspeaker broadcasts.
The South Korean military has responded by operating stationary loudspeakers deployed along the western, central, and eastern fronts in a relay manner. However, starting at 1 p.m. on the 21st, they switched to simultaneously activating all loudspeakers in the forward areas.
It has been reported that the South Korean military currently possesses a total of 40 loudspeakers aimed toward North Korea, including 24 fixed and 16 mobile units.
The South Korean military intends to maintain its loudspeaker broadcasts until North Korea halts its plans to send balloons filled with litter and trash across the border into the South.
During a regular morning briefing, JCS spokesperson Lee Sung Jun stated, “Current broadcasts include South Korea’s advancements, scenes of happy living, and K-POP.”
“We are closely monitoring the movements of North Korean troops following our loudspeaker broadcasts, and there is nothing more to report at this time,” he added.