In a surprising move, North Korea has reportedly halted operations of Radio Pyongyang, also known as Voice of Korea, sparking speculation that the station may have been sending coded messages to its spies in the South. The decision to suspend the radio station's functions was taken by Supreme leader Kim Jong Un during a meeting of the Workers' Party last month, where a reorganization of inter-Korea affairs was discussed.

Experts have long suspected that Radio Pyongyang broadcasts not only entertainment programs but also spoken lists of numbers that contain messages for agents abroad. The station's history dates back to 1945, when it first broadcasted the post-WWII victory speech of Kim Il Sung. After being suspended in 2000, it resumed operations in 2016.

Adding to the strained relations between North and South Korea, the recent firing of artillery barrages into the buffer zones between the countries by the Kim regime's military has resulted in a breakdown of international cooperation. The South Korean Defense Ministry responded by firing approximately 400 rounds, and intelligence estimates suggest that about 260 shells were fired into the area earlier this month.

In light of these escalating tensions, the North Korean regime reportedly held a meeting planning the gradual reduction of civilian exchanges with their southern neighbor. Supreme leader Kim Jong Un, speaking about the situation, stated that his regime has no intention of unilaterally bringing about a significant event in the Korean peninsula, but also expressed that they would not shy away from a potential war.

In addition to suspending Radio Pyongyang's operations, the station's website has also been retired, according to Yonhap News Agency. It remains unclear whether this move is temporary or part of a broader strategy by North Korea. The silence of the radio waves once filled with entertainment and indeed, possible coded messages, continue to fuel speculation about the intentions of the secretive regime.