Military Has Yet to Decide on Response to North Korea's Loudspeaker Threat

The military said Tuesday it has not yet decided on a response to North Korea's threat of loudspeaker broadcasts (equipment used to blare propaganda and hostile messages across the border). North Korea has threatened to resume its loudspeaker broadcasts toward the South, which had been halted under the inter-Korean Sept. 19 military agreement. Military authorities are reportedly coordinating the timing of their response while watching whether the North actually follows through on its threat. The Joint Chiefs of Staff are said to have decided to determine then whether to resume the counter-broadcasts, suspended since the military agreement, if North Korea actually operates the loudspeakers.

Also on Tuesday, Cheong Wa Dae said the president does not rely on artificial intelligence (AI) in handling state affairs.

Lee Jin-sook, the nominee for science and ICT minister, appeared again before the National Assembly's Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee. The ruling and opposition parties clashed loudly over her attendance. The opposition questioned the credibility of written questions and answers, while the ruling party called for the normalization of committee operations, reports said.