South Korea Resumes Loudspeaker Tactics Amid Trash Balloon Tension

South Korea's military has resumed 24/7 loudspeaker broadcasts targeting North Korea in reaction to Pyongyang's trash balloon launches. These actions have heightened tensions between the Koreas, with South Korea condemning the balloons as violations of the armistice agreement and a threat to daily life.

South Korea's military announced on Friday its decision to resume round-the-clock loudspeaker broadcasts aimed at North Korea, in response to Pyongyang's launch of balloons carrying trash across the border. Seoul condemned the balloons as 'despicable, shameful, and vulgar.'

The loudspeaker broadcasts, which also disseminate anti-North Korea propaganda, and the trash balloons have intensified tensions between the two Koreas. Since May, North Korea has been sending thousands of balloons filled with trash that have caused property damage in South Korea's civilian areas.

Seoul's military opted to restart the broadcasts after another wave of balloons from the North on Thursday, amidst both countries battling monsoon rains. 'These actions clearly violate the armistice agreement and are shameful and vulgar behaviour that could pose risks to the daily lives of our people,' the military said in a statement. The broadcasts, which include propaganda, world news, and K-pop music, were previously halted under a 2018 peace agreement, now deemed void as hostilities rise.