North Korea fires at South Korean loudspeakers across DMZ after radio broadcasts resume

North Korea has fired at South Korean loudspeakers across the demilitarised zone (DMZ) after Seoul resumed radio broadcasts last week. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) army fired at the 11 loudspeakers that are located around 2km away from North Korean guard posts about 4pm local time on 20 August, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported.

The South Korean military responded with "tens" of 155mm artillery rounds fired back, according to Seoul's defence ministry. "Our military has stepped up monitoring and is closely watching North Korean military movements," it said in a statement.

Seoul restarted psychological warfare broadcasts on 10 August in response to the detonation of a landmine, allegedly by North Korean personnel, which seriously injured two soldiers. The North Korean state news agency called the broadcasts "a grave military provocation" and threatened an all-out military response. There were also reports that the North was retaliating with its own pro-regime radio programme.

The broadcasts were suspended in 2004 as part of an inter-Korean agreement. Radio war has been a constant feature between the two countries since the ceasefire in the Korean war in 1953. The South's Voice of Freedom radio is one of the oldest stations that transmits to the DPRK. North Korea uses more warmongering broadcasts, promoting the DPRK regime and insulting the South Korean government.