In a significant move signaling a shift in inter-Korean relations, the South Korean military suspended its loudspeaker propaganda broadcasts directed at North Korea on June 11, 2025. This action aligns with a campaign promise made by the newly inaugurated South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, who took office just days prior. The suspension represents a deliberate step toward de-escalation and reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula, reflecting a new approach to the long-standing tensions between the two Koreas.
The loudspeaker system, which had been a persistent and sensitive feature of the inter-Korean border landscape for many years, was unilaterally dismantled by South Korea without prior agreement from the North. Historically, this system has acted as a barometer of the relationship between Seoul and Pyongyang—operating during periods of tension and being silenced when détente was achieved. In June 2024, South Korea reactivated the high-powered loudspeakers after North Korea launched a campaign sending large balloons filled with trash across the border, escalating tensions once again.
President Lee Jae-myung’s decision to suspend the loudspeaker broadcasts so soon after his inauguration is notable not only for its timing but also for its symbolic value. Unlike his predecessor, Lee has emphasized reducing tensions and fostering reconciliation between the two Koreas, while maintaining traditional military alliances with the United States and trilateral cooperation with Japan and the US. This unilateral move to dismantle the propaganda system signals a proactive effort to build trust and open the door to dialogue, even without immediate reciprocation from Pyongyang.
A South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) officer explained that the suspension was part of fulfilling President Lee’s promise to restore inter-Korean trust and peace. “This decision was made as part of efforts to fulfill the promise of restoring inter-Korean trust and peace on the Korean Peninsula,” the officer said. President Lee himself has underscored the importance of peace, stating after his inauguration that “the best security is peace without fighting,” directly addressing the ongoing fraught relationship with North Korea.
South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense confirmed the move, emphasizing its aim to restore peace and trust between the two Koreas. Complementing this, on June 9, the South Korean Ministry of Unification requested civil groups to cease sending leaflets over the border to North Korea, further illustrating a coordinated effort to reduce provocations and create a conducive atmosphere for dialogue.
The propaganda loudspeakers had been broadcasting a mix of world news and K-pop music, transmitted from multiple high-powered speakers capable of reaching more than 20 kilometers into North Korean territory. However, since 2024, North Korea has responded with broadcasts of “strange noises” and bomb-like sounds aimed at the South Korean border, escalating the psychological warfare along the demilitarized zone (DMZ).
Residents of Ganghwa Island, located near the border with North Korea, reported hearing these unusual sounds until around 6 PM on June 11, 2025. Park Heung-yeol, a local official, confirmed that the last strange noises were heard then. Interestingly, from 8 PM to 9 PM that evening, North Korea switched to playing propaganda music instead of the strange noises, allowing local resident An Mi-hee to finally enjoy a restful night after a prolonged period of sleeplessness caused by the broadcasts. “From 8 PM to 9 PM yesterday, North Korea played propaganda music instead of strange noises, so I slept very well. I had suffered from insomnia for a long time,” she said.
The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff stated that no areas currently hear the strange noises broadcast by North Korea, and their military continues to monitor developments closely. This silence from the North, coinciding with South Korea’s suspension of its loudspeaker program, hints at a potential thaw, though Pyongyang has yet to officially respond to Seoul’s gesture.
Observers note that while North Korea cannot ignore or underestimate this new South Korean move, it is likely to await further signals before making any reciprocal gestures. This cautious approach suggests that although the unilateral dismantling of the loudspeaker system is a hopeful sign, it is but a single step toward a broader peace process.
The loudspeaker broadcasts have long been a source of tension, with their operation often provoking retaliation and serving as a symbolic battleground in the ongoing conflict between the two Koreas. Their suspension, therefore, marks a meaningful departure from past practices and signals President Lee’s intent to chart a new course focused on dialogue and trust-building.
This development comes amid a complex geopolitical landscape where South Korea continues to rely on its military alliances, particularly with the United States, while seeking to ease tensions on the peninsula. President Lee’s approach balances these priorities, aiming to reduce hostilities without compromising national security.
As the Korean Peninsula stands at this delicate crossroads, the suspension of the loudspeaker propaganda system serves as a tangible manifestation of the new administration’s commitment to peace. Whether this initial step will pave the way for substantive progress remains to be seen, but it undeniably opens a fresh chapter in the troubled history of inter-Korean relations.
