North Korea says it will restart loudspeaker broadcasts aimed at South Korea along the entire border by the end of October, as Kim Yo Jong reported new units in positions ready to fire and Seoul warned it would respond firmly to further provocations.
Kim, the sister of leader Kim Jong Un, announced the plan Wednesday after visiting border defense sites with senior military official Pak Jong Chon. She described the broadcasts as an “appropriate response” and said North Korean military units were taking new positions. The reported deployments have not been independently verified.
The announcement follows a dispute over warning broadcasts and gunfire near the Military Demarcation Line. Pyongyang accused South Korean forces of provocation, while Seoul said its actions were defensive steps to stop North Korean troops from crossing the line. South Korea’s military warned Tuesday that it would respond firmly to further provocations.
The border tensions have also risen since land mines exploded in the Demilitarized Zone and injured three South Korean soldiers last month. Seoul blamed mines laid by the North, which denied responsibility. North Korea’s planned broadcasts would bring back a campaign meant to influence people, which had been halted.
They would add to tensions along one of the world’s borders with the most troops and weapons.