Seoul, South Korea - South Korea's military said Saturday it detected North Korea removing some of its loudspeakers from the inter-Korean border, days after the South dismantled its own front-line speakers used for anti-North Korean propaganda broadcasts, in a bid to ease tensions.

SEOUL: North Korea will react with "resolute counteraction" in the event of provocations from upcoming joint military drills between South Korea and the United States, its defence chief said on Monday (Aug 11) in a state media dispatch.

South Korea's military says North Korea has begun removing some of the loudspeakers used to broadcast propaganda across the border between the two countries. North Korea's move appears to be a positive reaction to the overtures from newly elected South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, who had campaigned on improving inter-Korean ties.