The North Korean leader's powerful sister said on Thursday that the country has never taken down propaganda loudspeakers and will not do so, calling South Korea's belief that Pyongyang was responding to its peace overtures a "pipedream.

SEOUL: The powerful sister of North Korea's leader on Thursday (Aug 14) denied reports by the South Korean military that Pyongyang had removed propaganda loudspeakers along the border.

In response to the North's alleged removal of the speakers, liberal South Korean President Lee Jae Myung voiced hopes of "reopening dialogue and communications" between the two rivalled countries. The North's response, however, was a cold shoulder.