Last week, the South Korean government reportedly demanded an explanation from North Korea for unilaterally deciding to demolish the Haegumgang Hotel, a South Korean-built facility in the Mount Kumgang tourism zone.
According to the Ministry of Unification (MOU) on Wednesday, the South demanded that the North provide a sufficient explanation regarding the dismantling and remodeling of facilities at Mt. Kumgang, as such moves “require an agreement from both sides.”
The ministry explained that it was closely monitoring the latest developments around the tourism zone and that it had been closely consulting with relevant agencies and businesses while also contacting the North over the issue.
In fact, the South Korean government verbally conveyed to the North that all problems related to Mt. Kumgang should be resolved through consultation between the two sides.
However, North Korea has yet to deliver an official response on the issue, according to the MOU.
“The government will review the necessary measures through close consultation with the [relevant] businesses,” the MOU said.
A senior MOU official met with reporters Wednesday morning and said that the ministry had asked the North to verify what was going on, adding that consultations had also been held with Hyundai Asan.
The official said the MOU delivered the South Korean government’s position on the issue to the North while demanding North Korea confirm if it was indeed demolishing South Korean-built facilities from the joint tourism zone.
Despite the South’s efforts at communication, the North has so far remained silent, the official added.
The official also said that, since the demolition has progressed further than what was first seen through satellite imagery, the government will, “at a certain stage,” once again consult with Hyundai Asan before informing the North Korean side about the South’s position.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited the Mt. Kumgang tourist area in October 2019 and ordered the removal of “unpleasant-looking” South Korean facilities. Since then, the two sides have exchanged opinions on the issue on various occasions, but discussions have been halted for some time now due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, a Voice of America (VOA) analysis of Planet Labs satellite imagery published on Wednesday found that the demolition of South Korean buildings seems to have progressed significantly.
According to VOA, North Korea appears to have begun full-fledged efforts to demolish the Haegumgang Hotel on Mar. 6.
Translated by Gabriela Bernal
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