South Korean residents living near the inter-Korean border were on alert against North Korea’s possible retaliation after the country resumed loudspeaker propaganda broadcasts towards the North.
South Korea unleashed a high-decibel propaganda barrage across its border with North Korea on Friday (January 8) in retaliation for its nuclear test, a step that has angered the isolated North in the past.
The broadcasts, in rolling bursts from walls of loudspeakers at 11 locations along the heavily militarized border, blared rhetoric critical of the North Korean regime as well as “K-pop” music, ratcheting up tension between the rival Koreans.
“No wonder (the South Korean government has started loudspeaker broadcasts). We cannot tolerate those who conducted a nuclear test which was a violation. Don’t you think? We should counteract it,” said 79-year-old South Korean resident, Jeong Hae-gyun, living in a border town Gimpo.
“We always feel nervous that (North Korea) might fire shells here. The (South Korean) army near here said local residents should not go around, and should stay in the town hall and go to shelter located near the guard post if the army makes a call in case of emergency. We were told be prepared,” said 71-year-old resident, Kim Soo-jin.
South Korea has raised its military alert to the highest level in areas near the loudspeakers and cancelled tours of the Demilitarized Zone on the border.
“Our Korean military has raised its military alert and it is closely monitoring movements of North Korea. If there is any further provocation by North Korea, we will sternly punish them to pay the price for it,” said South Korean defense ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok at a news briefing.
The South Korean broadcasts are considered an insult by the isolated North which has in the past threatened military strikes to stop them.
The last time South Korea deployed the loudspeakers, in retaliation for a landmine blast in August that wounded two South Korean soldiers, it led to an armed standoff and exchange of artillery fire.
The sound from the speakers can carry for 10 km (6 miles) into North Korea during the day and more than twice that at night, the South’s Yonhap news agency reported.
A male announcer could be heard from South Korea telling North Koreans that Kim Jong Un, the leader of their impoverished country, and his wife wear clothes costing thousands of dollars. Another message said Kim’s policy to boost both the economy and its nuclear program was unrealistic. (Reuters)
