Kim Yo Jong says North Korea will resume border loudspeakers

2026-10-22 · Security · North Korea · South Korea

Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, said on Oct 21 that Pyongyang will resume propaganda loudspeaker broadcasts toward South Korea this month, with the equipment to be "on standby" in a "matter of days." She warned Seoul of "the most horrible and distressing situation" if it continues what Pyongyang calls interference, and North Korea said "new firepower units" were in place. The move follows a day after South Korea warned of a "firm" response to further provocations, and ends a period in which Seoul had sought conciliatory gestures toward the North.

Why it matters：The return of Cold War-style broadcasts sharply raises tension on the Korean Peninsula and reverses a fragile thaw, with cross-border escalation possible within days.

Key points

• Kim Yo-jong said the loudspeakers would be ready in "a matter of days."
• North Korea said "new firepower units" were in place.
• Seoul had recently sought conciliatory gestures toward Pyongyang.

Sources (original reporting)

• The Straits Times
• Yonhap
• The Korea Herald

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