North Korea says it plans to restart loudspeaker broadcasts along the entire border this month.
Why it matters: The plan follows a September mine blast that injured South Korean soldiers and new North Korean fortification work. Seoul has promised a proportionate response but has not specified what it will be.
- Kim Yo Jong announced the plan on October 21, 2026, saying broadcasts would operate along the whole border within October.
- A September 21 land-mine blast injured three South Korean soldiers, including two seriously.
- North Korean officials inspected border fortification sites on October 20 with Kim Yo Jong and senior military officials.
- South Korea's Defense Ministry has promised proportionate measures without detailing them.
North Korea plans to reactivate propaganda loudspeakers aimed at South Korea along the entire inter-Korean border by the end of October, Kim Yo Jong said on October 21.
"Within October, the loudspeakers for psychological warfare against the ROK will be in operation along the whole border," Kim said, according to Yonhap. ROK is an abbreviation for the Republic of Korea, South Korea's official name. Kim also said North Korean tactical units were taking new positions.
The announcement followed Kim's October 19 warning that Pyongyang was considering restarting broadcasts and deploying additional tactical weapons near the border, according to Associated Press reporting.
The latest escalation follows a September 21 land-mine blast near the border that injured three South Korean soldiers, including two seriously, Yonhap reported. Seoul attributed the blast to North Korea and urged Pyongyang to apologize and remove additional mines. North Korea rejected Seoul's broader accusations and blamed South Korean military actions for worsening tensions.
On October 20, North Korean officials inspected border fortification construction sites with Kim Yo Jong, senior Workers' Party officials and commanders of the Korean People's Army, SBS reported.
South Korean Defense Ministry spokesperson Chung Binna said Seoul would take "proportionate measures," without specifying whether that means restarting its own broadcasts, reinforcing troops or taking another step, Yonhap reported.
No report cited here confirms that the network is already operating or specifies the number and location of units.
By the numbers
- 3 - South Korean soldiers injured in the September 21 mine blast
- 2 - Soldiers reported to have suffered serious injuries
- October 2026 - The month North Korea says the broadcasts will be operational
Yes, but: The October 21 statement describes a plan, not confirmation that broadcasts have begun. Reporting cited here also does not establish how many loudspeakers North Korea will operate or where they will be located.
What's next: North Korea says the broadcasts will be operational by the end of October. South Korea has not announced the specific measures it will take.