KCNA
South Korea has switched off the towers of loudspeakers it used to pump propaganda into North Korea along their border in the latest step of diplomatic healing between the two countries. The speakers have blasted K-Pop and news reports critical of the North in the hope of turning soldiers and civilians based near the border against their country. But ahead of a summit between the two countries later this week South Korea decided to bring the broadcasts to an end early Monday morning in order to “ease the military tension between the two Koreas and develop a peaceful summit atmosphere,” a spokesperson told reporters. “We hope this decision will lead both Koreas to stop mutual criticism and propaganda against each other and also contribute in creating peace and a new beginning.” North Korea announced over the weekend that it had suspended all missile tests and will shut down a nuclear test site. A direct hotline between the countries’ two leaders has also been set up.