North Korea released sewage balloons again on the 21st, broadcasting resumed on all fronts for only 3 days
Military can activate portable loudspeakers at any time,
Debris from sewage balloons supported by North Korea fell on a road in Mia-dong, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul on the 21st. Photo provided by Joint Chiefs of Staff,
, ‘[Seoul Economy]’,
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, ‘As North Korea again released sewage balloons, the military conducted full-scale broadcasts on loudspeakers to North Korea on all fronts. Tensions are escalating as the two Koreas are intensifying psychological warfare along the border.’,
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, ‘The Joint Chiefs of Staff stated on the 21st, “North Korea is again releasing sewage balloons,” and announced, “As repeatedly warned, loudspeakers to North Korea will be fully operated on all fronts.”‘
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, ‘North Korea’s sewage balloon release is the third time since the 18th, and it is the ninth time since the first launch on May 28. According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, by 5 p.m. on that day, about 360 North Korean sewage balloons were identified, with 110 of them falling in northern Gyeonggi and Seoul.’,
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, ‘The military’s full-scale operation of loudspeakers on all frontlines is the first time since the September 19th South-North Military Accord in 2018. Previously, fixed loudspeakers on the western, central, and eastern frontlines were operated at different times depending on the region. Despite repeated warnings, when North Korea continued to release sewage balloons, all fixed loudspeakers on the frontlines were fully operated, raising the level of response.’,
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, ‘A military source explained, “Removing all restrictions on loudspeaker operation means that all fixed loudspeakers are currently turned on, and portable loudspeakers can be operated at any time as needed.” The military is known to have a total of 40 loudspeakers for North Korea, including 24 fixed and 16 portable ones.’,
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, ‘The loudspeaker broadcasts include criticism of North Korea’s three-generation succession system, propaganda on the capitalist system, and news about Ri Il-gyu, former counselor at the North Korean Embassy in Cuba, who recently defected to South Korea.’,
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, ‘With the military’s full-scale operation of loudspeakers to North Korea, there is a possibility that North Korea may continue provoking at a higher level. In August 2015, North Korea fired artillery towards the large loudspeakers operated by the South Korean military in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi, demanding the suspension of broadcasts.’,
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, ‘The ruling Democratic Party requested restraint, stating that the repeated cycle of sewage balloons and loudspeaker broadcasts to North Korea was escalating. Lee Hae-sik, a senior spokesperson for the Democratic Party, said, “If the tense confrontation between the two Koreas escalates into a local war beyond a chicken game, it could lead to unintended consequences.”‘,
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