"North Korea Halts Jamming Signals After NIS Suspends Broadcasts to the North"

While the National Intelligence Service recently suspended its radio and TV broadcasts to North Korea, it has been reported that North Korea has also stopped some of its jamming signals.

According to a senior government official, as of 10:00 p.m. on July 22, North Korea halted around ten jamming frequencies that had been used to interfere with South Korea's broadcasts to the North. It is currently reported that only two to three jamming frequencies remain active.

Yonhap News Agency

Earlier this month, radio broadcasts to North Korea such as Voice of the People, Echo of Hope, Free FM, K-News, and Free Korea Broadcasting, as well as TV broadcasts to the North, which are known to be operated by the National Intelligence Service, were sequentially suspended. According to the official, this measure was taken in response to North Korea's suspension last year of its own broadcasts to the South, including Echo of Unification, Pyongyang Broadcasting, and Pyongyang FM.

The official commented, "We did not expect the jamming signals to be stopped, but North Korea took a reciprocal measure in response to the suspension of broadcasts to the North," adding, "This shows that the other side is watching us very closely."

Recently, the government has been taking a series of steps to ease tensions with North Korea, including suspending military loudspeaker broadcasts across the border. However, North Korea has not issued any separate statement or response regarding these actions.

The government also does not expect North Korea to immediately agree to talks. The official stated, "North Korea is building a wall, but we believe there is a possibility they will respond to dialogue," while also noting, "However, it will not be easy for them to come to the table, and it will not happen right away."

He added, "The government will also not rush into inter-Korean talks," emphasizing, "It is important to reduce military tensions and to work on preventing accidental clashes." He further commented, "It appears that North Korea wants the United States to send a clear message."