South Korea's military has stopped using loudspeakers that broadcast anti-North Korean messages along the border. This is the new liberal government's first clear action to reduce tension between the two rival countries, which were separated by war.

Last June, South Korea started broadcasting through loudspeakers again after a long break. They did this because North Korea had sent balloons filled with trash towards them as part of a psychological attack.

South Korea's Defense Ministry announced on Wednesday that this step was taken to "build trust between North and South Korea and encourage peace on the Korean Peninsula."

From May to November last year, North Korea sent thousands of balloons into South Korea. These balloons carried things like waste paper, pieces of cloth, cigarette butts, and even animal waste. North Korea said they sent these balloons because South Korean activists had sent balloons with anti-North Korean messages and USB sticks with South Korean songs and TV shows.

North Korea reacts very strongly to any outside criticism of its strict government and its leader, Kim Jong Un.

After North Korea sent balloons, South Korea turned on its loudspeakers at the border again, playing propaganda messages and K-pop songs towards the North.

Tensions increased because North Korea was developing nuclear weapons, and South Korea was expanding its military exercises with the US and strengthening security cooperation with Japan. This situation was made worse by psychological tactics, similar to those used during the Cold War.

Lee Jae-myung, South Korea's new president, began his term last week after winning an early election. He has promised to improve relations with North Korea, which was very upset about the previous president's strict policies and refused to talk.