The relationship between North and South Korea may have seen better times. In just a few months, the conflict between both regions has escalated further. It all started in the summer when South Korea was subjected to a shower of balloons filled with garbage, the response to the “neighbour” came in the form of drones and propaganda, and the “north” responded by marking the enemy in the constitution. . Last thing: noise, lots of noise.

Sound bombardment. Apparently, and as the New York Times reports, since at least July, North Korea has been employing a new and unprecedented strategy in its psychological warfare against South Korea: the 24-hour-a-day emission of intolerable sounds in border areas.

Described by residents as metallic, menacing and typical of horror movies, these sounds have replaced old propaganda broadcasts and are intended to emotionally destabilize southern communities. In fact, residents of the South Korean town of Dangsan, just a kilometer away from North Korea, already suffer from insomnia, headaches and anxiety due to constant noise pollution.

Transforming a historical tactic. The truth is that “annoying” your neighbor with noise is not entirely new in Korea. Such border crossings between both regions have, as far as is known, been a recurring feature since the 1960s, although the focus has changed.

Whereas before there were insults and political propaganda, North Korea now relies on “dehumanizing and disturbing” voices. It’s a change that reflects an attempt to force its southern neighbors to halt their own propaganda broadcasts, such as K-pop music and news, which Seoul is resuming in 2024 after a six-year hiatus.

It’s a complicated relationship. In the background is an old acquaintance from the region, although it is true that tensions between the two Koreas have reached their lowest point in years. There is an appropriate name here, as Kim Jong-un has adopted an aggressive stance, or has adopted it more than before, by closing all possibilities for dialogue with the South and strengthening ties with Russia.

Not only this. As we said, South Korea was labeled in the constitution as an enemy to be annexed in case of war. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, on the other hand, intensified military exercises with the United States and Japan, while encouraging the dissemination of information to the North to weaken Kim’s totalitarian control.

Effect of noise. NYT reported that residents of Dangsan, a farming community of 354 people (mostly over the age of 60), have seen their daily lives disrupted since the sounds emerged. Windows are now closed, children no longer play outdoors, and some animals such as chickens and goats are experiencing health problems.

The culprit is obvious; Residents blame noise for a decline in quality of life and a lack of government support, and say official measures such as the provision of double-glazed windows are inadequate.

It’s a two-way struggle. As we said, the increase in tension is not one-way. In response to the propaganda balloons sent by North Korean defectors from the South, North Korea also launched garbage-laden balloons, and the South responded with unmanned aerial vehicles.

In addition, the North destroyed infrastructure connecting both countries and interfered with GPS signals near the border, affecting South Korean air and sea traffic. All actions that increase hostility in the region and underline a growing policy of retaliation.

There is no solution in sight. This being the case, a ceasefire seems more distant than ever. While Dangsan residents have demanded that Yoon’s government halt its broadcasts in an effort to ease tensions, authorities have not offered a concrete plan to resolve the problem.

This undoubtedly reflects the sacrifice of border communities who see their well-being made dependent on the political rivalry between Seoul and Pyongyang. Experts suggest that the solution requires reactivating previous verbal non-aggression agreements between the two Koreas; However, the possibility of a constructive dialogue seems extremely remote today and in the current environment.

Picture | Roman Harak, FirsPost

in Xataka | North Korea has long implied that it could achieve any goal. It wasn’t a bluff, he showed it with a missile

in Xataka | To start a war, you need to make it official. North Korea took the first step by describing South Korea in two words