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North Korea to resume loudspeaker broadcasts targeting South

Published : Wednesday, 21 October, 2026 at 8:05 PM

Observer Online Report

Collected Photo

Tensions between the two Koreas escalated on Wednesday (October 21) as Pyongyang announced plans to bolster its military presence along the border and resume psychological warfare broadcasts targeting South Korea.

Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, disclosed in a statement carried by the state-run Korean Central News Agency that newly armed troop units have been deployed into firing positions and that border loudspeaker operations will resume by the end of October.

The announcement followed an inspection of frontline military positions by Kim Yo Jong and Marshal Pak Jong Chon of the Korean People's Army. Pak urged troops to build a powerful artillery system capable of instilling fear in opponents and ordered effective military actions should South Korean forces pose a security threat.

The recent flare-up follows allegations by Seoul last month that North Korean landmines caused explosions inside the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), a claim Pyongyang denied.

In response to Pyongyang's moves, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen Jin Young-sung instructed forces to maintain firm readiness, warning that North Korea could use defensive manoeuvres by Seoul as a pretext for provocation. South Korean military analysts noted that moving armed personnel and artillery to forward positions represents a concerning operational shift compared to past weapons demonstrations.

Pyongyang has also recently tested advanced weaponry, including AI-integrated precision torpedoes and hypersonic intermediate-range missiles.

Border propaganda has long been a flashpoint between the neighbours. South Korea previously resumed loudspeaker broadcasts carrying K-pop and news in 2024 following North Korea's launch of trash-carrying balloons. Although South Korea's Defense Ministry removed its border loudspeakers last year under President Lee Jae-myung’s policy of unconditional dialogue, North Korea's latest mobilization threatens to derail peace prospects.

-EM

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Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury

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