South Korean Military Shuts Down Loudspeakers at the Border
mend fences: to repair a broken relationship
South Korea’s new president, Lee Jae-myung, made a promise to improve relations with North Korea. One of his first actions was to stop the loudspeaker broadcasts along the border. These speakers played pop music, news, and messages about democracy loud enough to be heard many kilometers away.
North Korea responded with its own loudspeakers. They played creepy sounds, like gongs and howling animals, but that’s not all. North Korea also sent balloons filled with trash and sometimes poop across the border.
People living near the border were caught in the middle. Many said the loud sounds kept them awake at night.
Now, the South has turned off its speakers. Some people are glad the noise is gone. Others say it was a mistake to stop. President Lee hopes this will help mend fences and reduce tension with the North.
Sample sentences
After years without talking, Mia called her sister to try to mend fences.
The two classmates had not spoken since their argument, but they both wanted to mend fences before the school trip.
The manager invited the unhappy worker for a coffee to mend fences and talk things over.
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South Korea turns off propaganda loudspeakers to North
South Korea halts loudspeaker broadcasts along border with rival North Korea