South Korea Stops Loudspeaker Broadcasts to Reduce Tension

Intermediate | June 17, 2025

✨ 혼자서 기사를 소리 내어 읽거나 튜터를 따라 각 단락을 반복해서 읽으세요. 레벨...

A Quiet Border

Recent Decision at the Border

Have you heard about the latest news from the Korean border? South Korea stops loudspeaker broadcasts near the border that were aimed at North Korea. This decision is a big step taken by South Korea’s new president, Lee Jae-myung, to try and reduce the tension between the two countries.

History of the Loudspeaker Broadcasts

For about a year, loudspeakers on both sides had been broadcasting messages. South Korea had restarted its broadcasts in June 2024 after North Korea sent balloons filled with trash across the border. It was like a tit-for-tat situation, where one side did something, and the other side responded similarly.

Why South Korea Stops Loudspeaker Broadcasts Now

Campaign Promise and Concerns

President Lee Jae-myung promised during his election campaign that he would stop these broadcasts. He believes they create unnecessary tension and make things uncomfortable for people living near the border. Residents in these areas have complained a lot about the noise from the loudspeakers, including strange sounds from the North Korean side.

Hopes for Peace and Dialogue

Many people are hopeful that stopping the broadcasts is a way to try and restore trust and encourage peace on the Korean Peninsula. It’s a proactive step by the new government to change the approach from the previous, more hard-line administration. The hope is that this gesture will open the door for better communication and maybe even dialogue in the future.

North Korea’s Response

Since South Korea stops loudspeaker broadcasts, reports suggest that North Korea has also gone quiet on its side, though they haven’t officially announced anything. This reciprocal action is a positive sign, but experts say it’s still too early to know if this will lead to real progress in talks.

Vocabulary

Tension (noun): A situation in which there is a suppressed disagreement or hostility.
- Example: There has been increasing tension between the two neighboring countries.
Broadcast (noun/verb): A program or signal transmitted by radio or television (noun); to transmit (a program or signal) by radio or television (verb). In this context, using loudspeakers.
- Example: The government used loudspeakers to broadcast important messages.
Aimed at (phrasal verb): Directed towards a particular person or group.
- Example: Pundits believe that the speech was aimed at young voters.
Reduce (verb): To make something smaller in size, amount, or intensity.
- Example: They want to reduce the amount of traffic in the city center.
Significant (adjective): Important or notable.
- Example: This is a significant decision that will affect many people.
Gesture (noun): Something said or done to show a particular feeling or intention.
- Example: People see the stopping of the broadcasts as a goodwill gesture.
Tit-for-tat (adjective/noun): Actions taken in retaliation for previous actions.
- Example: The argument became a tit-for-tat exchange of insults.
Unnecessary (adjective): Not needed or essential.
- Example: The extra meeting felt completely unnecessary.
Retaliatory (adjective): Relating to an action taken in return for an injury or offense.
- Example: The second attack was a retaliatory strike after the first.
Reciprocal (adjective): Given, felt, or done in return.
- Example: They have a reciprocal agreement to help each other.

Discussion Questions (About the Article)

What action did South Korea take recently regarding its border?
Why did South Korea originally restart the loudspeaker broadcasts in 2024?
What is President Lee Jae-myung’s goal in stopping the broadcasts?
How have people living near the border been affected by the broadcasts?
What does it mean that North Korea’s stopping of broadcasts is “reciprocal”?

Discussion Questions (About the Topic)

Why do you think countries use psychological warfare like loudspeaker broadcasts?
What are some other ways countries can try to reduce tension with their neighbors?
How important is communication in improving relationships between countries?
Can you think of other historical examples of countries using propaganda against each other?
What role do border residents play in decisions about military actions near their homes?

Related Idiom

“To break the ice”

Meaning: To do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation started in a new or awkward social situation.
Example: Stopping the broadcasts might help to “break the ice” between the two countries.

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This article was inspired by: Reuters, June 11, 2025