South Korea halts loudspeaker broadcasts, draws responses around the world
- 6 years ago
South Korea's decision to halt loudspeaker broadcasts along the border with North Korea was made as a positive gesture ahead of the historic inter-Korean summit on Friday.
And it drew a lot of interest from news agencies around the world.
Our Seo Bo-bin has the details.
South Korea's defense ministry said on Monday the decision to stop its anti-Pyongyang broadcasts across the inter-Korean border was made to boost the mood of reconciliation on the peninsula… and create a peaceful environment for talks.
The news drew reactions from media around the world.
USA Today stated "South Korea has stopped blasting its distinctive K-pop music featuring teen "girl bands" or "boy bands" that has been playing for more than two years." It also said "K-pop is extremely popular across much of Asia and beyond."
In neighboring Japan, NHK News reported that South Korean loudspeakers have blared out news, music, and statements on the importance of human rights across the demarcation line, stating that they were intended to inform North Koreans about the advanced society of their southern neighbor.
A report by the U.K.'s BBC news questioned whether North Korea would follow suit and silence its loudspeakers too.
The South's move was instead followed by Pyongyang's announcement that it had decided to end its nuclear tests and long-range missile launches, a possible peace gesture ahead of the historic inter-Korean summit this Friday.
China, North Korea's main ally, welcomed North Korea's announcement and said it was "great news".
Seo Bo-bin, Arirang News
And it drew a lot of interest from news agencies around the world.
Our Seo Bo-bin has the details.
South Korea's defense ministry said on Monday the decision to stop its anti-Pyongyang broadcasts across the inter-Korean border was made to boost the mood of reconciliation on the peninsula… and create a peaceful environment for talks.
The news drew reactions from media around the world.
USA Today stated "South Korea has stopped blasting its distinctive K-pop music featuring teen "girl bands" or "boy bands" that has been playing for more than two years." It also said "K-pop is extremely popular across much of Asia and beyond."
In neighboring Japan, NHK News reported that South Korean loudspeakers have blared out news, music, and statements on the importance of human rights across the demarcation line, stating that they were intended to inform North Koreans about the advanced society of their southern neighbor.
A report by the U.K.'s BBC news questioned whether North Korea would follow suit and silence its loudspeakers too.
The South's move was instead followed by Pyongyang's announcement that it had decided to end its nuclear tests and long-range missile launches, a possible peace gesture ahead of the historic inter-Korean summit this Friday.
China, North Korea's main ally, welcomed North Korea's announcement and said it was "great news".
Seo Bo-bin, Arirang News