The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has firmly rejected claims it plans to remove border loudspeakers, calling South Korea's hopes for improved relations "a foolish dream" in a sharply worded statement reported by state media Thursday. Kim Yo Jong, vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, accused Seoul of spreading "misleading narratives" about cross-border relations while preparing for U.S.-led military drills.
The remarks come days before scheduled U.S.-South Korea joint exercises that Pyongyang views as rehearsals for invasion. "Whether Seoul withdraws its loudspeakers or stops broadcasting, the DPRK does not care," the statement read, emphasizing the country's focus on military readiness over diplomatic gestures.
Analysts note the loudspeakers – used for propaganda broadcasts across the Demilitarized Zone – have become symbolic of the deepening divide between the neighbors. The DPRK also dismissed speculation about leveraging the upcoming Trump-Putin meeting for diplomacy, stating it "has nothing to do with the United States."
With both sides maintaining hardened positions, the developments underscore growing regional instability as military posturing intensifies. Business leaders and policymakers are closely monitoring how these tensions might impact inter-Korean economic projects and security dynamics in Northeast Asia.
