North Korea threatens to 'blow up' South Korea's loudspeakers spouting anti-Pyongyang propaganda over the border
The broadcasts are in retaliation to Pyongyang’s denial of planting land mines in South Korea’s Demilitarized Zone which maimed two soldiers last week
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.North Korea has threatened to “blow up” South Korea’s loudspeakers after they began spouting “anti-North psychological warfare” over the border.
Seoul started up the broadcasts of anti-Pyongyang propaganda after 11 years this week when North Korea denied planting land mines in the Demilitarized Zone south of the border.
The denial came after two South Korean soldiers had been maimed by land mines in the Zone.
A statement from North Korea’s army on Saturday said that the broadcasts are equivalent to a declaration of war and that a failure to immediately stop them and take down the loudspeakers would result in “an all-out military action of justice to blow up all means for ‘anti-North psychological warfare’” on the frontlines.
North Korea is extremely sensitive about insults thrown at its leader Kim Jong Un and tries to isolate its people from any criticism or suggestions that Kim is anything other than powerful and revered.
But South Korea’s President Park Geun-huy told Pyongyang to “wake up” from the delusion it could maintain its government through provocation and threats that would only result in isolation and destruction.
Park said her government would firmly respond to any provocation, but added that if the North chooses to have a dialogue and co-operate with the South then it will find opportunities to improve the lives of its people.
Park also urged North Korea to accept her government’s proposals for building a “peace park” in the Demilitarized Zone and for reunions of families separated by the border, which is the world’s most heavily armed.
Additional reporting by AP
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments