Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, on Thursday sharply rejected South Korea’s claims that the North is dismantling loudspeakers along the tense inter-Korean border, ridiculing Seoul’s liberal government for its “delusional” hopes of reviving diplomacy between the divided Koreas.
South Korea’s military recently reported that North Korea was removing some of its front-line loudspeakers, interpreting the move as a response to Seoul’s decision to dismantle its own anti-North propaganda speakers in an effort to reduce tensions. However, Kim Yo Jong dismissed these claims, stating that North Korea has “never removed loudspeakers installed on the border area and has no intention to do so.” She accused South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung of misleading the public with optimistic rhetoric about reopening dialogue.
During a Tuesday Cabinet meeting, President Lee, who assumed office in June after the ousting of conservative Yoon Suk Yeol, described the alleged North Korean actions as a “reciprocal measure” and expressed cautious optimism for improved inter-Korean communication. Kim Yo Jong’s statement directly contradicted this, signaling Pyongyang’s disinterest in negotiations with either Seoul or Washington. She also scoffed at speculation that North Korea might use an upcoming meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump to send a message to the U.S., saying, “Why should we send a message to the Americans?”
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The loudspeaker dispute is part of a broader psychological warfare campaign that has long fueled tensions on the Korean Peninsula. South Korea’s previous conservative government resumed loudspeaker broadcasts last year, blasting propaganda and K-pop songs to provoke Pyongyang, which views such actions as a direct challenge to its regime. In retaliation, North Korea used its speakers to broadcast irritating noises, including animal howls and gongs, and sent trash-laden balloons southward. The tit-for-tat escalated until June, when Lee ordered a halt to South Korea’s broadcasts, prompting North Korea to pause its own.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesperson, Col. Lee Sung Joon, stood by the military’s observations, insisting that some North Korean speakers had been removed and urging caution against North Korea’s “politically motivated” statements. “North Korea often makes claims that aren’t true,” he said.
Kim Yo Jong also reiterated North Korea’s lack of interest in resuming nuclear talks, which collapsed in 2019 after a failed summit between Kim Jong Un and then-U.S. President Trump. She pointed to the upcoming U.S.-South Korea military exercises, set to begin August 18, as evidence of continued hostility. North Korea frequently condemns these drills as invasion rehearsals, often responding with weapons tests or military demonstrations to advance its nuclear program.
North Korea’s alignment with Russia further complicates the diplomatic landscape. Since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Pyongyang has prioritized ties with Moscow, supplying troops and military equipment, including artillery and missiles. Russian and North Korean state media reported a recent phone call between Kim Jong Un and Putin discussing their deepening partnership, though North Korean reports omitted mention of Putin’s upcoming talks with Trump in Alaska.
Analysts suggest that North Korea’s focus on Russia reduces its incentive to engage with South Korea or the U.S. President Lee’s push for better relations faces steep challenges, as Pyongyang remains sensitive to any criticism of its leadership and continues to fortify its authoritarian control, including efforts to curb South Korean cultural influence within its borders.
As tensions simmer, the upcoming U.S.-South Korea military drills could further escalate hostilities, with North Korea likely to use them as a pretext for additional provocations. For now, Kim Yo Jong’s sharp rebuke underscores Pyongyang’s firm stance against dialogue, leaving South Korea’s hopes for reconciliation hanging in the balance.
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