North wants tour talks to resume
Published: 14 Jan. 2010, 20:38
North Korea yesterday proposed holding inter-Korean talks on resuming the tours to Mount Kumgang resort and the city of Kaesong.
According to the Korean Central News Agency, the North’s Korean Asia-Pacific Peace Committee asked for the talks on Jan. 26 and 27. The committee, which handles inter-Korean affairs, also said it was “very regrettable” that the tour programs have been suspended for a year and a half.
The Unification Ministry in Seoul confirmed that it had received the proposal. It had yet to accept the offer by press time last night.
The tour programs were suspended in July 2008 after a South Korean woman was fatally shot by a North Korean soldier after straying into a restricted military zone. Last August, Kim Jong-il told Hyun Jeong-eun, chairwoman of the Hyundai Group, which oversees these tours, that he would resume the suspended tourism to both areas and provide necessary facilities and security.
By Yoo Jee-ho [[email protected]]
According to the Korean Central News Agency, the North’s Korean Asia-Pacific Peace Committee asked for the talks on Jan. 26 and 27. The committee, which handles inter-Korean affairs, also said it was “very regrettable” that the tour programs have been suspended for a year and a half.
The Unification Ministry in Seoul confirmed that it had received the proposal. It had yet to accept the offer by press time last night.
The tour programs were suspended in July 2008 after a South Korean woman was fatally shot by a North Korean soldier after straying into a restricted military zone. Last August, Kim Jong-il told Hyun Jeong-eun, chairwoman of the Hyundai Group, which oversees these tours, that he would resume the suspended tourism to both areas and provide necessary facilities and security.
By Yoo Jee-ho [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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