Residents of Ganghwa County, Incheon, near the North Korean border, have been enduring months of mysterious and disruptive noises from North Korea’s broadcasts, sparking growing frustration and health concerns in the affected communities.
“Even my seven-year-old granddaughter asked if she could write a letter to the president because the noise is so unbearable.”
On Sept. 12, Ahn Hyo-chul, a 67-year-old resident of Dangsan-ri, Songhae-myeon in Ganghwa County, Incheon, made this statement, expressing his frustration. “My grandchildren have said they want to leave Ganghwa Island because of the strange noises,” he added.
He continued, “Last night, I woke up around 11 p.m. and couldn’t fall back asleep until nearly 3 a.m. due to the bizarre sounds coming from North Korea’s broadcasts. Some neighbors have even started going to the hospital because of the stress.”
Residents of the Songhae-myeon area in Ganghwa County, which is near the North Korean border, have been suffering from mysterious noises coming from North Korea’s anti-South propaganda broadcasts. It’s been going on for three months now.
According to local authorities in Ganghwa County, since July, strange noises like rapid tapping, screeching metal sounds, and even siren-like noises have been heard in the northern parts of Songhae-myeon and Yangsa-myeon.
Residents believe these noises began after South Korea started its own loudspeaker broadcasts towards the North from speakers located in Yangsa-myeon. In response to North Korea’s use of balloons carrying waste material, the South Korean military began its broadcasts on July 21.
Residents reported that the strange North Korean broadcasts last for two to three hours at a time, followed by a 10-20 minute break, only to resume for another two to three hours. These broadcasts are relentless, day and night, and the sound becomes louder when the wind blows from the north.
Ahn noted, “In the past, we could hear North Korea’s broadcasts criticizing our government or playing songs, but this bizarre noise is new. Despite filing numerous complaints with the county office, nothing has changed.”
The areas most affected by the noise include Dangsan-ri, Sungnae-ri, Yango-ri, and Cheolsan-ri in Yangsa-myeon, with populations ranging from 250 to 400 people per village. Among these, Dangsan-ri is reportedly the hardest hit.
Jong In-seon, the head of Songhae-myeon, said, “We measured the noise levels using a sound meter app, and it reached as high as 80 decibels. Residents are complaining about the continuous noise, and we have reported the situation to the relevant authorities, asking them to come up with a solution.”
Shin In-kyun, head of the Korea Defense Network, commented, “This seems to be a countermeasure by North Korea in response to our broadcasts, aiming to create conflict and unrest in the South.”
On Sept. 12, the Joint Chiefs of Staff stated, “Since late July, the North Korean military has been transmitting unidentified noise in response to our loudspeaker broadcasts,” but the South Korean government has yet to develop a concrete countermeasure.
