Despite warlike rhetoric and reports from the South Korean military that most of North Korea’s submarines appear to be away from their bases, and that amphibious landing vessels have been deployed to the border, high-level talks are underway in the abandoned ‘truce village’ of Panmunjom.

Seoul (AsiaNews/Agencies) – South Korea will continue broadcasting propaganda along the border with the North until Pyongyang apologises for placing the landmines that wounded two South Korean soldiers, said South Korean President Park Geun-hye in response to Kim Jong-un’s threat to use force against broadcasts (pictured) along the demilitarised zone that divides the two Koreas.

Propaganda broadcasts began about a month ago after an 11-year hiatus, apparently in response to the wounding of two soldiers. They deliver outside news so that North Korean soldiers and border-area residents could hear it

Pyongyang's reaction came on 20 August when it began shelling, and the next day, 21 August, when Kim Jong-un announced a state of "quasi war". The North Korean dictator told Seoul to dismantle the loud speakers "within 48 hours”.

Although North Korea denies placing the landmines that wounded the South Korean military, Ms Park demanded "a clear apology and measures to prevent a recurrence of these provocations and tense situations. [. . .] Otherwise,” she said, “this government will take appropriate steps and continue loudspeaker broadcasts."

Despite warlike rhetoric and reports from South Korea’s military that most of North Koreas' submarines appear to be away from their bases, and that amphibious landing vessels have been deployed to the border, high-level talks are underway in the abandoned "truce village" of Panmunjom.

South Korea is represented by national security adviser Kim Kwan-jin and Unification Minister Hong Yong-pyo, whilst North Korea has sent senior officials Kim Yong-gon and Hwang Pyong-so, who is seen by many analysts as North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's second-in-command.

• korea
• tensions
• panmunjon
• landmines
• propaganda