In response to North Korea’s recent release of trash-filled balloons, South Korea has resumed its loudspeaker broadcasts along the border. Reports indicate that residents in the border areas of North Korea’s Kangwon Province are secretly pleased with this development.
On July 24, a South Korean media outlet Daily NK, citing a source in Kangwon Province, reported that military families and civilians living in the frontline areas of Kimhwa-gun are quietly welcoming the resumption of loudspeaker broadcasts from South Korea.
For many North Korean residents, these broadcasts are currently their only means of accessing external information. Kimhwa-gun, primarily inhabited by military personnel and their families, has been under stringent surveillance since the outbreak of COVID-19, making it difficult for residents to access outside information.
While the resumption of the broadcasts has heightened tensions in the frontline military units stationed in Kimhwa-gun, creating a warlike atmosphere, military families and civilians are reported to be secretly listening to the South Korean loudspeaker broadcasts.
[Trash balloon from North Korea explodes, causes fire on Goyang rooftop]
The source stated, “The loudspeakers broadcast content critical of the hereditary succession and promoting capitalism, along with South Korean songs such as Jang Yoon-jeong’s ‘Olae.’ The broadcasts are clearer in the evening, and for the first time in years, residents can access external information without fear, which they are inwardly pleased about.”
The source added, “Before the pandemic, military families received sufficient rations and were less influenced by broadcasts and leaflets. However, now even the soldiers in frontline outposts are not getting enough to eat, which means the broadcasts will likely have a much greater impact.”
Meanwhile, it was discovered that North Korea has been emphasizing the justification for launching trash-filled balloons towards South Korea in lectures to internal residents.
According to Daily NK, citing a source in North Pyongan Province, from early this month, lectures explaining the background and rationale for the balloon launches have been frequently conducted at factories and enterprises, particularly in border areas adjacent to China.
Lecture materials reportedly state, “Dung maggots suit the human scum and loyal dogs of America who have turned into puppets. Let’s send lots of waste packets to Seoul.”
North Korea has not reported the balloon launches through its internal media like Rodong Sinmun. However, in border areas with faster access to external information, lectures are being used to propagate the justification for the balloon launches and control public opinion.
In response to North Korea’s trash-filled balloon launches, South Korea broadcasted for two hours on June 9. As the balloon launches continued, the military increased the broadcast time to 10 hours daily from July 18 in some areas. From July 21, it has been operating all fixed loudspeakers in the frontline areas simultaneously from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., broadcasting for about 16 hours daily.
BY SUYOUNG HA, YOUNGNAM KIM [ha.suyoung@joongang.co.kr]
