South Korea has begun removing speakers used to blast democratic propaganda and K-pop music across the border.

The country's new liberal government said it was a "practical measure" to ease tensions with communist North Korea .

Daily broadcasts had resumed last summer in retaliation for thousands of rubbish-filled balloons being sent in Seoul's direction.

Officials said at the time it would send a message of "hope and light to the North's troops and its people" and claimed the sound travelled up to 15 miles at night.

However, hardline conservative president Yoon Suk Yeol was ousted this year and successor Lee Jae Myung has promised to improve relations .

The broadcasts on the 150-mile border stopped in June and now the speakers are being taken down.

Defence ministry spoke

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