Propaganda Equipment at the DML to Be Dismantled

North and South Korea began the official dismantlement of propaganda equipment, such as loudspeakers and an electronic display board, along the Military Demarcation Line (DML) on June 16.

The R.O.K. Joint Chiefs of Staff announced, “Starting with the removal of the loudspeakers installed at the troop bunkers near Ohdoo Mountain, all propaganda equipment along the 155 miles (249km) of the DML will be dismantled by August 15.”

The first set of loudspeakers to be dismantled was a 200-million-won speaker set consisting of 48,500-watt speakers. This speaker, which has been broadcasting propaganda programs for 15 hours a day since 1999, has a range of 10~12 km.

Currently, there are a total of 94 loud speakers and 11 electronic display boards. The initial dismantlement began with the removal of nine loudspeakers including the one in Ohdoo Mountain.

A military official said, “The use of these equipments is still under discussion,” and added, “The speakers could be used as troop broadcasting equipment, and the electronic display boards can be used as safety lights.”

The North has also been observed to remove a part of the loudspeakers and signboards from their troops during morning, according to the R.O.K. Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Ho-Won Choi bestiger@donga.com