Overview

• South Korea’s military finished dismantling about 20 fixed loudspeakers along the heavily fortified Demilitarized Zone as of Tuesday.
• Defense Ministry officials described the removal as a practical step to ease border tensions without compromising the military’s readiness posture.
• This follow-up measure comes two months after President Lee Jae Myung ordered a halt to anti-North broadcasts in June to rebuild trust.
• No consultations took place with North Korea before the removal, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff report that Pyongyang has made no reciprocal moves beyond routine maintenance.
• Kim Yo Jong publicly rejected any engagement with South Korea, declaring Pyongyang has “no interest” in talks or policy proposals from Seoul.