Seoul: South Korea has halted the broadcast of a propaganda radio program into North Korea for the first time in 15 years as the South seeks to mend ties with the North.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the Defense Ministry announced that the 'Voice of Freedom' broadcast has been suspended as part of efforts to ease inter-Korean military tensions.
The initiative is the latest in Seoul's efforts to improve relations, with President Lee Jae Myung committing to restore inter-Korean ties and resume dialogue with Pyongyang. South Korea had been airing K-pop and news into North Korea through the now-halted radio program. Last year, it included news on North Korea's deployment of troops to Russia in support of its war against Ukraine.
The broadcast was reportedly halted earlier in the day, marking the first suspension of the program in 15 years. South Korea had resumed the radio program in May 2010, following North Korea's attack on the South Korean naval corvette Cheonan.
Since taking office in June, President Lee has instructed the military to cease propaganda broadcasts along the border and urged activists to stop sending balloons across the border, aiming to reduce tensions. Additionally, the National Intelligence Service suspended all of its broadcasts targeting the North Korean regime in July.