South Korea’s peace overtures are a “pipe dream”, the powerful sister of North Korea’s Kim Jong-un has warned, in comments mocking Seoul for its recent attempts to ease hostilities.

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.

The powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Thursday dismissed South Korean claims the North is removing some of its loudspeakers along the inter-Korean border, mocking the government in Seoul for clinging to hopes of renewed diplomacy between the war-divided rivals.

Kim Keon Hee joins her husband, ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol, in jail following accusations of graft that she denies.

Kim Keon Hee, accused of accepting Chanel bags and other items as bribes, is the only former first lady in the country to have been put behind bars. Her husband has also been jailed on insurrection charges.