South Korea’s military has started to dismantle the loudspeakers that blare anti-North Korean broadcasts along the country’s border. The action is Seoul’s latest diplomatic gesture to its long-time rival neighbor.

The speakers had previously been used to blast anti-North Korean propaganda, but the new liberal government in South Korea halts the broadcasts as it looks revive dialogue with Pyongyang.

South Korean authorities began removing on Monday loudspeakers blaring anti-North Korea broadcasts along the country's border, Seoul's defence ministry said, as the new government of President Lee Jae Myung seeks to ease tensions with Pyongyang.