North Korea has begun dismantling its loudspeakers aimed at South Korea, which were installed in frontline areas last year in response to South Korea military’s broadcasts. This development comes just four days after the military initiated the removal of its own loudspeakers.
While some regard this as North Korea reciprocating the South Korean government’s conciliatory gestures, experts suggest that Pyongyang is selectively responding based on its own interests. This analysis emerges on August 10, given that North Korea has not always reciprocated previous peace overtures.
According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, North Korea started dismantling its loudspeakers on August 9. This action appears to be in response to South Korea military’s removal of fixed loudspeakers from various frontline locations on August 4 and 5, an effort aimed at easing inter-Korean tensions.
North Korea also halted its noise broadcasts to the South in June, shortly after our military ceased its broadcasts following the inauguration of the Lee Jae-myung administration. Furthermore, when the National Intelligence Service ended its 52-year-long psychological warfare broadcasts, North Korea responded by stopping ten jamming signals intended to disrupt those transmissions.
North Korea’s rapid reactions—typically within three to four days of South Korea’s actions—demonstrate a pattern of immediate and visible responses. It is evident that Pyongyang is closely monitoring the Lee administration and making swift decisions.
However, skepticism remains as to whether these recent developments truly reflect North Korea’s willingness to engage with the government’s initiatives. Pyongyang has not reciprocated by restoring communication channels, such as the Inter-Korean Liaison Office and military hotlines, which have been inactive since April 2023.
North Korea also did not respond to our government’s request to repatriate the body of a North Korean citizen found on Seokmodo Island in Incheon at the end of June. The remains are now being cremated as those of an unidentified person.
On July 28, Kim Yo-jong, sister of Kim Jong Un and a deputy director of the Workers’ Party, issued a statement claiming that the Lee administration is no different from its predecessor. She maintained an aggressive stance, insisting that unless South Korea recognizes their two states policy for the Korean peninsula, dialogue will not ensue.
Experts note that the swift response to the loudspeaker issue may be due to mutual fatigue and the need to maintain troop levels in border areas—a significant burden for North Korea.
The South Korean government plans to continue its conciliatory gestures regardless of North Korea’s responses. Recently, under the leadership of Unification Minister Chung Dong-young, the government even adjusted the schedule for the U.S.-South Korea joint exercise Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS), which North Korea labels as invasion war drills.
Analysts believe that as long as North Korea maintains its stance of viewing the South as a hostile state, it will be difficult for Pyongyang to offer responses beyond selective engagement.
Professor Lim Eum-chul from Kyungnam University’s Institute for Far Eastern Studies commented that North Korea is only taking actions that do not significantly disadvantage them. He added that for any real progress in establishing communication channels or engaging in behind-the-scenes discussions, the hostile relationship must change. Further noting that under the current circumstances, there are clear limits to North Korea’s responses
Professor Lim added that North Korea is currently focused on internal matters, such as the 80th anniversary of the Workers’ Party in October. Further adding that with the uncertainty surrounding U.S.-North Korea relations, North Korea will likely continue to respond in a limited and selective manner.
