Unification Ministry urges halt after Kim Yo-jong's remarks on restarting loudspeaker broadcasts

On the 22nd, in response to remarks by Kim Yo-jong, head of the Workers' Party of Korea's General Affairs Department, about restarting loudspeaker broadcasts toward South Korea (broadcasts blaring propaganda at high volume aimed at the South), the Unification Ministry urged the North to "stop its threats against us and work toward the practical resolution of issues," demanding an immediate halt to actions that heighten tension and the risk of conflict around the Military Demarcation Line. The ministry pointed out, "Barely a year ago, we blared loudspeakers at each other, inflicting unbearable suffering on residents of both Koreas," adding, "We must not repeat these past mistakes."

The Unification Ministry emphasized, "The fundamental solution to preventing tension and the risk of conflict between the two Koreas is to align the South and North's positions on the Military Demarcation Line and establish a communication system for its peaceful management as soon as possible."

On the 21st, after inspecting the site of 'border fortification' work around the Military Demarcation Line within the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), Department Head Kim Yo-jong announced that loudspeakers aimed at the South would go into operation along the entire border by mid-October. She then reiterated through the Korean Central News Agency on the 22nd that new countermeasures had entered standby duty status and that the loudspeakers would be on standby within days. The Korean Central News Agency also reported that on the 21st, North Korean Defense Minister Adviser Pak Jong-chon inspected key points of the southern border fortification construction site together with Workers' Party Secretary Ri Il-hwan, Department Head Kim Yo-jong, and key commanders of the Korean People's Army General Staff.