The South Korean administration believes that it can find another way to make payments for tourism to North Korea instead of direct cash transfers, should negotiations on the resumption of tours to Kaesong and/or Mt. Geumgang come to pass.

South Korea has been examining ways to assure transparency, so as to avoid letting payments flow directly into Kim Jong Il’s pockets or be diverted for military purposes.

A high official in the Lee Myung Bak administration told reporters on Thursday, “We are still not at the phase of discussing that [payments],” but added, “I can say that the problem of payments in cash is partly related to the fact that UN Resolution 1874 is in force.”

It is certainly problematic that more than $30 million dollars in tour fees are paid into North Korea’s overseas bank account every year, while nuclear negotiations remain stalled.

However, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Unification, Cheon Hae Sung noted yesterday, “The administration’s opinion is that the Mt. Geumgang tourist business is not incompatible with UN Security Council Resolution 1874.”

Regarding payments, he added, “If necessary, it can be discussed when North and South reconvene negotiations on resuming the tours.”

Despite South Korea’s efforts, however, the possibility of finding a mutually acceptable method of payment is low, considering North Korea’s attitude.