Seoul:South Korea's unification ministry has called upon North Korea to cease actions that could heighten the risk of clashes along the border, following threats from Pyongyang to resume loudspeaker broadcasts against Seoul.
According to Yonhap News Agency, this statement from the ministry comes after Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, announced plans to restart propaganda broadcasts targeting South Korea. She warned of a potentially "horrible and distressing situation" as tensions mount over North Korea's ongoing border fortification activities.
The ministry emphasized that actions violating the Armistice Agreement and raising tensions along the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) must be halted immediately. It highlighted past instances where both Koreas used loudspeakers against each other until June 2025, causing significant distress for people on both sides of the border.
In its statement, the ministry proposed that the fundamental solution to reducing tensions lies in reconciling positions on the MDL and establishing a communication system for peaceful management. It urged Pyongyang to stop its threats and work towards resolving the issues amicably.
North Korea has increased its border fortification efforts since April 2024, following remarks by Kim Jong-un that described inter-Korean relations as hostile. This activity has led to incidents where North Korean troops crossed the MDL, prompting warning responses from South Korean forces. South Korea views these measures as defensive, intended to prevent border violations.
The South Korean authorities suspect that North Korea may be using its own interpretation of the MDL, leading to confusion and potential clashes. Although Seoul has proposed military talks to clarify the MDL, Pyongyang has not yet responded.
In a recent incident, North Korea denied responsibility for land mine explosions in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that injured three South Korean soldiers. However, investigations by the South Korean military and the U.N. Command determined that North Korean antipersonnel mines were planted south of the MDL, violating the Armistice Agreement.