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Kim Yo-jong, director of the General Affairs Department of North Korea's ruling Workers' Party, said on Oct. 19 that Pyongyang was considering deploying additional military forces and resuming loudspeaker broadcasts toward South Korea in protest against measures taken by the South Korean military, including warning shots fired in response to crossings of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL). The photo, taken on Oct. 20, shows a North Korean loudspeaker installed along the Imjin River, as seen from the border area of Paju, Gyeonggi Province. / Yonhap

South Korea's Ministry of National Defense is reviewing possible proportional measures, including the installation of loudspeakers directed at North Korea, after Pyongyang announced plans to install loudspeakers targeting the South by the end of this month.

Defense Ministry spokesperson Jung Bit-na made the remarks during a briefing at the ministry's headquarters in Yongsan, Seoul, on Oct. 22.

Asked whether the South Korean military was considering installing its own loudspeakers in response if North Korea proceeded with its plans, Jung said, "It is difficult to answer a hypothetical question."

"However, if North Korea were to install loudspeakers, I believe our military would naturally need to take proportional measures," she added. "No decision has been made yet."

Asked about concerns that a resumption of loudspeaker broadcasts between the two Koreas could increase the risk of accidental military clashes, Jung said, "To prevent such a situation, North Korea must come to the negotiating table, and activities like those we are currently seeing must stop."

Jang Do-young, spokesperson for South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), said the military had detected routine maintenance activities involving North Korean loudspeakers even before Pyongyang issued its latest statement.

Regarding possible military responses if North Korea resumes its broadcasts, Jang said, "We will take appropriate and effective measures through a joint investigation with the United Nations Command."

Asked about reports that new firepower units had occupied firing positions, Jang said, "We have not detected any particular signs of new North Korean weapons being deployed."

"However, given North Korea's claims, we are closely monitoring the situation," he added.

Meanwhile, South Korea's Ministry of Unification warned against a return to cross-border loudspeaker broadcasts.

"Just over a year ago, residents of both Koreas experienced unbearable suffering as the two sides blasted loudspeaker broadcasts at each other," the ministry said.

"We must not repeat the mistakes of the past."

                                                                                                              Lee Han-sol