South Korea begins removing loudspeakers on border with North to reduce tensions

Overture from new president Lee Jae Myung is latest effort to revive dialogue with Pyongyang that stalled under his predecessor

South Korean authorities have begun removing loudspeakers that blare propaganda broadcasts along its border with the North, Seoul's defence ministry said on Monday, as the new government of President Lee Jae Myung seeks to ease tensions with Pyongyang.

South Korea's dismantling of the loudspeakers was a practical measure that can help ease inter-Korean tensions without affecting the military's readiness posture," the ministry said in a statement.