Kim Yo-jong Announces Readiness to Activate Loudspeakers Targeting South Korea

Kim Yo-jong, the Deputy Director of the Workers' Party of Korea, announced on October 22 that North Korea will transition its loudspeakers targeting South Korea to a standby status within days. She criticized the South Korean military's warning shots in response to North Korean incursions across the military demarcation line (MDL) and directed harsh remarks at Kim Byung-joo, a special advisor on defense policy at the Blue House, who had criticized her.

According to the Korean Central News Agency, Kim stated early that day, "Our new response measures along the entire border will enter a state of readiness, and the loudspeakers targeting South Korea will also be on standby within days." The agency described this as an additional warning following comments made by the Blue House advisor the previous day.

Kim reiterated claims that the South is interfering with North Korea's fortification efforts. She asserted that the ongoing "permanent border" construction, conducted in areas where North Korean sovereignty is exercised, would continue, arguing that fortifying the border would reduce the risk of military clashes between the two Koreas.

She threatened the South, saying, "If you make a 'mistake,' be prepared for everything."

Kim also targeted Kim Byung-joo, a member of the Democratic Party, stating, "He should stop rambling and keep his mouth shut." She argued that it is hypocritical for the South to label North Korea's response to warning shots as provocation while not firing back.

Kim Byung-joo criticized Kim Yo-jong's announcement about activating the loudspeakers as "brazen and shameless hypocrisy" on social media, demanding an apology for North Korea's provocations.

In her remarks, Kim referred to the recent landmine explosion in the demilitarized zone (DMZ) as a "suspicious incident," claiming that the South is shifting blame onto North Korea.

Earlier, on October 21, Kim had condemned the South Korean military's response to North Korean incursions and announced plans to activate the loudspeakers across the border region this month. Her latest comments serve as an additional warning, specifying that the loudspeakers would be on standby within days.