South Korea Includes Hit Songs By Kpop Groups In Anti-North Korea Broadcasts Along Demilitarized Zone

Hit songs from Korean pop groups were included in the anti-North Korea broadcasts recently started after the country claimed it carried out a hydrogen bomb test this week. South Korea's Defense Minister revealed that the propaganda broadcasts commenced Friday along the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).

Yonhap News Agency reported Friday Girlfriend's "Me Gustas Tu" and Apink's "Let Us Just Love" were included in the playlist. Sources added that tracks from IU's "CHAT-SHIRE" album will also be played along inter-Korean border in order to show the improved status of women in South Korea.

In addition to this, a song by Lee Ae Ran will also be played to inform North Korea about the increased life expectancy of South Koreans.

"The lyrics of songs played in these broadcasts portray South Korea as a prosperous country," music critic Choi Kyu Seong said. "They have simple, repetitive melodies that are very catchy."

North Koreans are only permitted to listen to government-controlled television and radio station, hence, their lack of access to South Korean music. Despite this, reports revealed that Kpop songs are often smuggled through flash drive and DVDs, as noted by USA Today Friday.

On the other hand, British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond called on South Korea to stop the propaganda broadcasts.

"We have to be bigger than the North Koreans," Hammond said during a visit in Japan. "We know responding in this way is simply rising to the bait North Korea is presenting to us."

In August, South Korea halted its propaganda broadcasts along the border as part of the agreement to defuse tensions between the two Koreas. The broadcast was resumed Friday noon, which was believed to be the 33rd birthday of North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un.

North Korea branded these broadcasts as an "act of war" when South Korea restarted it for the first time in August after ten years.