Seoul 'turns off' anti-Pyongyang propaganda loud speakers

South Korea aims to create a "peaceful environment" for the upcoming inter-Korean summit. Since 1963 dozens of loud speakers, in about 40 locations along the border, broadcast anti-Pyongyang propaganda to North Korea and South Korean popular music. Preparatory meetings continue.

Seoul (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Silence has fallen on the south side of the border between the two Koreas: this morning, Seoul has turned off the dozens of speakers used in a propaganda that stars  k-pop, the famous South Korean popular music, and also broadcasts criticism of the north towards the north.

The authorities say the equipment has been silenced to "ease the military tensions between the two Koreas and develop a peaceful atmosphere" in view of the upcoming inter-Korean summit.

Despite some interruptions dictated by the various diplomatic phases, the propaganda of the south continued since 1963, through more than 40 positions arranged along the demilitarized zone. The sound of the speakers was audible to soldiers at the border and civilians living in the area.

For its part, the North also uses a similar system of repeaters - with which it disseminates critical news to Seoul and its allies - and it is still unclear whether it will imitate the gesture of the South, and turn off the equipment.

The decision comes in response to Kim Jong-un's announcement to suspend all missile and nuclear tests, welcomed by South Korean president Moon Jae-in as a "fundamental" step towards denuclearization.

Some critics express skepticism towards Kim's promise, saying that it is not the first time that Pyongyang has committed itself to denuclearise, only to back-track.

In the meantime, the preparations for the intercorean summit of 27 April, the meeting between the two presidents of the North and the South, defined by Msgr. Lazzaro You as a "historic" occasion, while on the desk of both leaders the Seoul-Pyongyang direct line is ready to ring in the coming days, announcing the first inter-Korean contact after years.