N. Korean leader's sister denies loudspeaker removal, rejects Seoul's outreach

North Korea has denied dismantling its loudspeakers directed toward South Korea as earlier reported by officials here in the country.

Byeon Ye-young has our top story.

Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, has rejected Seoul's conciliatory measures and reaffirmed Pyongyang's intent to maintain its hostile stance.

In a statement released through the North's state-run Korean Central News Agency on Thursday, Kim dismissed recent measures by the Lee Jae Myung administration, which took office in June pledging to mend strained ties with North Korea.

Lee's government has halted anti-Pyongyang loudspeaker broadcasts, moved to ban leaflet balloon launches, and repatriated North Koreans who had drifted south in wooden boats.

Responding to Lee's remarks on Tuesday that the North has also removed some loudspeakers, Kim called it "groundless speculation and a manipulation of public opinion," insisting North Korea has not dismantled the loudspeakers deployed along the border, and doesn't intend to dismantle them.

At a briefing on Thursday, South Korea's Ministry of National Defense said the military had explained the facts based on its observations of North Korea removing speakers.

It urged caution against being swayed by the intent behind North Korea's announcements, adding it has often made unfounded claims.

Also in her statement, Kim Yo-jong criticized adjustments to the upcoming U.S.-Korean Ulchi Freedom Shield joint military drills starting on August 18th, dismissing them as "worthless and futile."

She added that Pyongyang has "no intention of improving relations with a loyal servant and faithful ally of the United States".

She also accused Seoul of trying to score political points by reversing measures from the previous Yoon Suk Yeol government, calling such efforts an empty dream that would not draw Pyongyang's attention.

Kim further brushed off speculation that the summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, scheduled for Friday, could revive U.S.-North Korea dialogue, saying there was no reason for North Korea to sit down with the U.S.

She warned that if Washington clings to what she called "outdated" thinking, any meeting would remain merely a U.S. hope and that North Korea had no interest in talks that dwell on an irreversible past.

Byeon Ye-young, Arirang News.