South Korea's New President Halts K-Pop Propaganda to North Korea

In a significant shift in South Korea's approach to North Korea, newly-elected President Lee Jae-myung has ordered the cessation of loudspeaker broadcasts that transmitted K-pop music and other propaganda across the border. This decision, aimed at re-establishing trust and peace on the Korean Peninsula, marks Lee's first major policy change since assuming office. Under former President Yoon Suk Yeol, relations between the two Koreas had deteriorated sharply, accompanied by hostile exchanges and numerous propaganda efforts.

On June 11, 2025, South Korea's military turned off the high-powered loudspeakers that had been blaring K-pop anthems and news into North Korea. Lee’s spokeswoman, Kang Yu-jung, emphasized the importance of this action in rebuilding South-North Korean relations. The loudspeaker broadcasts were initiated by Lee’s predecessor, Yoon, who had encouraged activists to release propaganda leaflets highlighting criticisms of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. This led to an escalation in tensions, including retaliatory actions from North Korea.

Previously, as part of the ongoing "loudspeaker war," both countries had exchanged various forms of hostile communications, causing discomfort for residents living near the border. In a surprising move towards de-escalation, Lee's government is now monitoring the situation to gauge whether North Korea will respond in kind by turning off its own loudspeakers. As both nations navigate this sensitive point in their history, Lee's administration is hopeful that these efforts can foster a new dialogue and path to peace.