Seoul resumes loudspeaker propaganda against North

Seoul: South Korea resumed Sunday a loudspeaker propaganda campaign against the North as Pyongyang sent a fresh barrage of trash filled balloons acros...

Seoul: South Korea resumed Sunday a loudspeaker propaganda campaign against the North as Pyongyang sent a fresh barrage of trash-filled balloons across the border.

Relations between the two Koreas are at one of their lowest points in years and in recent weeks the two have engaged in a tit-for-tat campaign of balloon launches, with analysts warning the escalating cycle could end in actual military skirmishes.

Seoul suspended this month a 2018 military deal aimed at reducing tensions on the peninsula after Pyongyang sent hundreds of balloons carrying bags of garbage, including cigarette butts and plastic waste, paving the way for the resumption of the loudspeaker broadcasts.

The loudspeaker broadcasts, a tactic which dates back to the 1950-1953 Korean War, infuriate Pyongyang, which previously threatened artillery strikes against the loudspeaker units unless they were switched off.

"The South Korean military conducted a loudspeaker broadcast this afternoon," Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff said, adding that whether additional broadcasts follow "depends entirely on North Korea's actions."