North Korea begins retaliatory propaganda war against South

SEOUL, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- North Korea has installed loudspeakers across the border from the rival South to retaliate against Seoul for a renewed propaganda war across the heavily guarded demilitarized zone.

A South Korean Defense Ministry official told CNN Pyongyang began broadcasting "in order to stop South Korea's broadcasts from reaching North Korean citizens and military in the area."

North Korea's broadcast cannot be heard clearly from the South side, the official said.

Both sides have restarted retaliatory broadcasts for the first time in 11 years, South Korean news agency Yonhap reported.

South Korean military said they were expecting North Korea's response to the resumption of the South's war of words, and the tensions on the DMZ have escalated after exploding land mines inside the area injured two South Korean soldiers.

North Korea also is planning a "special measure to strengthen the border" between Aug. 14 and 28, according to Seoul, and Pyongyang's exercises are meant to overlap with the computer-simulated military drill Ulchi Freedom Guardian that involves 30,000 American and 50,000 South Korean troops, South Korean television SBS reported.

North Korea has accused Seoul and Washington of preparing an invasion and South Korea press reported Seoul's military is bracing for a potential reaction from the North.

North Korean Gen. Ri Yong Gil, the military's chief of staff, and Gen. Kim Yong Chol, chief of North Korea's Reconnaissance Bureau, were absent at major ceremonies on Saturday that marked the 70th anniversary of North Korea's liberation.

A military official in South Korea said Ri and Kim were excused from attendance in preparation for North Korea's own military drills.