South Korea's military began removing loudspeakers that have been used to blast anti-Pyongyang messages across the border, Seoul's Defense Ministry said Monday.

SEOUL and LONDON -- The South Korean military began dismantling loudspeakers that had been placed along its border with North Korea, South Korea's Defense Ministry said.

While Seoul hopes the gesture might reopen channels for engagement, officials report no sign of North Korea reciprocating South Korean soldiers on Monday began quietly dismantling towering propaganda loudspeakers that used to blare propaganda across the border,