Kaesong tours to get 10,000 won hike

Tourists visiting Kaesong, North Korea, will have to pay an extra 10,000 won ($9.73) starting September. According to the Hyundai Group yesterday, Hyundai Asan has decided to raise its adult weekday tour package price.

Prices for students and children will stay the same, along with weekend prices for all tourists. Weekday prices in September for adults will be raised to 188,000 won from the present 178,000 won. Students (primary, middle and high school) pay 170,000 won. Weekday prices for children and infants are 150,000 won and 120,000 won, respectively.

When Hyundai Asan started its Kaesong tours last December, its prices were 180,000 won for all tourists, regardless of age. Since April though, they adapted a more flexible price system, varying prices according to age and date of travel.

The company has been reported as suffering from a cash shortage as it was forced to stop tours to Mount Kumgang due to the controversy surrounding the recent shooting death of a South Korean tourist there.

Despite setbacks, last month, over 70,000 tourists went to the North Korean city on the tour.

By Cho Jae-eun Staff Reporter [jainnie@joongang.co.kr]