By David Eunpyoung Jee
South Korea’s propaganda broadcasts are a powerful tool in inter-Korean diplomacy.
Inter-Korean tensions sky-rocketed after August 4, when two soldiers of the Republic of Korea (ROK) were maimed for life after stepping on landmines allegedly placed by North Korea. In response to the North Korean provocation, the ROK decided to resume anti-Pyongyang propaganda, after the broadcasts had been scrapped for many years. Pyongyang warned of possible strikes unless Seoul halted the broadcasts, and actually fired at a propaganda loudspeaker (but did not hit it). South Korean forces fired back, and announced that the propaganda broadcasts would continue.
Subsequently, Pyongyang offered to talk to Seoul in the border village of Panmunjom. On Monday, the talks reached their conclusion: Seoul would cease the propaganda broadcasts in exchange for Pyongyang expressing its regrets for the landmine incident. Assessments of the deal vary, but there are two clear implications. First, the ROK propaganda broadcasts are powerful, and second, that the ROK can leverage this tool in case of further provocations in the future.
The deal demonstrated just how powerful the anti-Pyongyang propaganda broadcasts are. It was very rare for North Korean to address Seoul using the official title of the “Republic of Korea” instead of some variation of the “Puppets of American Imperialists.” Beyond this, Pyongyang expressed its regret for the maimed soldiers. Why did Pyongyang seem to “give in” when face with ROK propaganda?
Read the full story at The Diplomat