On Monday, it was confirmed that North Korea has ceased its loudspeaker broadcasts targeting South Korea along the border region since the South Korean military suspended its broadcasts.
During a routine press briefing at the South Korean Ministry of National Defense, Lee Sung Jun, spokesperson for the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), stated that there have been no changes regarding North Korea’s cessation of propaganda broadcasts, with the broadcasts still suspended.
It has been confirmed that inter-Korean military communication lines remain unresponsive from the North Korean side. Lee explained that the South Korean side continues to make regular attempts to establish communication. Still, currently, the lines are not operational, and they have received no response from North Korea.
Since April 2023, when North Korea declared a severance of communication channels, including the inter-Korean liaison office and military hotlines, they have not responded to any South Korean attempts at contact for over two years.
The military authorities also announced that scheduled regular military exercises near the inter-Korean border and on northwestern islands will proceed as planned. The South Korean Ministry of National Defense spokesperson, Jeon Hagyu, affirmed that training exercises are currently scheduled and that there have been no alterations to those plans.
In June 2024, the South Korean government decided to entirely suspend the September 19 inter-Korean military agreement, citing North Korea’s balloon launches carrying propaganda materials and military provocations. Subsequently, South Korea resumed military drills within 5 kilometers of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) and on northwestern islands.
Regarding President Lee Jae Myung’s directive to halt the distribution of anti-North Korean leaflets, military officials stated they are in constant communication with local governments and relevant agencies.
JCS Spokesperson Lee Sung Jun added that the South Korean forces are sharing intelligence with pertinent agencies about any reports of leaflet launches or discoveries and are closely monitoring North Korean activities while maintaining real-time communication with law enforcement and local authorities.