SEOUL: North Korea reduces resort for warrior families

SEOUL: North Korea reduces resort for warrior families

Seoul, South Korea-North Korea begins with the demolition of a facility in Mount Kumgang resort, which was used for meetings between families that were separated after the Korean War. This is the latest sign of the tense tensions between the two Koreas, South Korea said on Thursday.

The call for immediate rest

The South Korean Ministry for reunification, which is responsible for the affairs between the two countries, urged North Korea in an explanation to immediately stop demolition work at the location near the border. This measure was considered dangerous and provocative because it significantly impairs the efforts to reunite the shared families.

a humanitarian failure

The Ministry described the demolition of the facility as an "anti-humanitarian act that travels the wishes of the separate families with feet". It also pointed out that legal steps against these actions and a joint reaction with the international community are considered.

rising tensions between North and South Korea

In recent years, North Korea has reinforced its aggressive rhetoric against South Korea and referred to it as an "enemy state". Last year, North Korea blew up sections of interkorean roads and railway lines on its side of the heavily fortified border, which led to the South Korean army fired warning shots.

deterioration in military agreements

In 2023, North Korea has a military agreement in 2018, which aimed to reduce the risk of unintentional clashes between the two countries that are technically at the war. South Korea also followed this step and explained that one had to react to these provocations.

a glimmer of hope for tourism

Despite the tense relationships, there are recent signs that North Korea could be ready to reopen for foreign visitors. This would be the first time since the limits for tourism were closed due to the Covid 19 pandemic more than five years ago. The Koryo Tours, based in Beijing, announced on Thursday that tours to North Korea were "officially back" and were allowed to enter the Rason region; A step that could mark the revival of tourism in North Korea.