South Korea’s defence ministry today confirmed the start of an operation to remove sound facilities it had installed on the country’s northern border against North Korean propaganda, calling it a “practical measure” to ease tensions with North Korea. The decision follows the suspension of the broadcasts in June as a sign of goodwill from the new liberal government of President Lee Jae-myung, which is seeking a rapprochement with Pyongyang.

According to ministry spokesman Lee Kyung-ho, there was no prior consultation with North Korea before the removal of the speakers. At the same time, he refrained from giving details on how the equipment would be stored or the possibility of its repositioning in the event of an escalation. The ministry clarified that the removal does not affect the operational readiness of the South Korean armed forces.

North Korea has not officially commented on Seoul’s action. However, Kim Jong-un’s leadership is known to react strongly to any external criticism, especially when it involves his regime or family dynasty.

The speakers were reactivated last year by the conservative government of Yun Suk Yeol in response to Pyongyang’s psychological warfare campaign, which included balloons filled with litter. The content of the broadcasts – from anti-North Korean messages to K-Pop songs – was intended to cause irritation in the Pyongyang regime, which is trying to curb the influence of South Korean culture at home.

The removal of the speakers marks a change in Seoul’s stance under President Lee, who took power after early elections, succeeding the ousted Yun. Lee has pledged to restore diplomatic rapprochement with North Korea, in contrast to the previous hardline policy.

However, Pyongyang’s leadership does not seem willing to respond. Last week, Kim Yo-yong, Kim Jong-un’s sister and a powerful political figure in the country, dismissed Lee’s moves, saying South Korea remains essentially hostile because of its alliance with the U.S.

Her statement suggests that Pyongyang – now preoccupied with strengthening its ties with Moscow amid the war in Ukraine – does not see any urgency in resuming dialogue with Seoul or Washington.