News Report: Pyongyang Threatens War (Again) if Psychological Warfare Near Border Continues

North Korea cautioned its southern neighbor October 29, saying that if South Korea clings to its psychological warfare tactics and doesn’t give up on the idea of erecting a large electronic display in the demilitarized zone (DMZ), the consequences may be gruesome.

In September, Seoul announced it was planning to blast North Korean citizens living near the border with propaganda through an electronic display set up in Cheorwon, Gangwon Province, in the DMZ along the Military Demarcation Line (MDL). The display reportedly would show domestic and international news and even play Korean pop music videos.

According to the North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), installation of the 10 by 18-meter display began October 27. 

The Korean People's Army told KCNA that South Korea was aiming to aggravate an already "extreme confrontation" with their neighbor and push it into a "direct military conflict." The article also warned that Pyongyang may fire a direct strike aimed at the structure. 

North Korea frequently threatens South Korea and its ally, the United States, with war.

South Korea has already incorporated loudspeaker broadcasts into its psychological warfare strategy, including after North Korea carried out its fourth nuclear test in January this year. Pyongyang condemned the measure, saying it was "pushing the tense situation in the areas along the MDL to an unpredictable phase." North Korea also went on to test a fifth nuclear weapon in September.

A South Korean defense ministry official dismissed the accusations, saying, as cited by Yonhapnews, that Seoul was still deliberating whether an electronic display should be added to the psychological warfare campaign, but "the final decision has yet to be made."

This story first appeared on Sputnik & is reposted here with permission.