South Korea moved against North Korea’s recent moves related to Mt. Geumgang tourism yesterday, by requesting that third party states not allow tours to the area or investment in projects related to it.
The decision was the result of a meeting of Unification, Foreign Affairs and Trade, Strategy and Finance, Justice and Culture, and Sports and Tourism Ministry officials at central government complex in Seoul.
“In today’s meeting, we decided to explain to related countries the iniquity of using our tourist facilities for the recent pilot tour, and request that they refrain from engaging in Mt. Geumgang tours or investments,” the Ministry of Unification subsequently reported.
The move comes after North Korea unilaterally expelled the South Korean skeleton staff that had been maintaining the facilities from Mt. Geumgang on August 22nd, and hosted a pilot tour cruise for journalists and officials between Rasun and Mt. Geumgang at the beginning of September.
“We also agreed to observe North Korean trends and measures going forward, and prepare appropriate responses,” the Ministry continued.
The South Korean authorities are also considering taking the case to international judicial instruments including the International Court of Arbitration, according to an earlier statement.
Meanwhile, Uriminzokkiri dismissed the South Korean measures, saying that Seoul “will become a laughing stock in front of the international community.”
Releasing comment this morning, the website run by the North Korean Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland stated, “The treatment of the South Chosun authorities, who cannot gather domestic and foreign journalists and beg so even go as far as sending a letter to foreign embassies, is truly disgusting. Do they think they can they put the brakes on international tourism at Mt. Geumgang by writhing about in agony?”
The website added that the door to dialogue remains open, but did not clarify any details.
