One of the news outlet’s reporters said the broadcast resumed around 5pm local time with the message: “Hello, fellow North Koreans. From now on, we will begin a freedom broadcast that delivers the sound of truth and hope.”

A number of news items then followed, aimed at punching through the North’s tight censorship, which includes restrictions on broadcasts from outside the country.

Among these was the announcement that the South had suspended its 2018 military agreement with the North which was intended to defuse tension.

The broadcast also lauded Samsung’s position as one of the world’s top exporters of smartphones and warned of the regime in the North’s censorship.

“[T]he number of North Korean residents complaining of mental pain is increasing due to the sudden strengthening of crackdowns and censorship on the viewing and distribution of external videos,” YNA cited the broadcast as saying.

The resumption of the broadcasts came after the South warned its northern foe to stop the rubbish balloons, which began in May. On Saturday, about 330 were launched, with about 80 of them landing south of the border, South Korea’s military said.