Unification minister renews calls for individual tourism to N.K.
SEOUL, Feb. 25 (Yonhap) -- Unification Minister Lee In-young said Thursday the government will push to resume long-suspended tours to North Korea on an individual basis as soon as the pandemic eases, saying it is "the best way to break the boundaries" between South and North Koreans.
"There are still many South Koreans who wish to visit Mount Kumgang though it has been over 10 years since its suspension," he said, pointing out that such exchanges can help restore "national homogeneity."
"The government will prepare various matters with the aim of resuming individual tours to Mount Kumgang the foremost when the COVID-19 situation eases," he said.
He also called on the international community to take a flexible approach to sanctions on allowing individual tourism to North Korea.
Seoul has sought to allow individual trips to the North since President Moon Jae-in cited it as a possible cross-border project that could be pursued to expand exchanges and cooperation without violating international sanctions on Pyongyang.
The idea of individual tourism to North Korea emerged as a "creative" alternative to the long-suspended tour project at Mount Kumgang on the North's east coast. The program came to a halt in 2008 after a South Korean traveler was shot dead near the resort.

In this file photo, Unification Minister Lee In-young, South Korea's point man for inter-Korean relations, speaks to reporters at the government complex in Seoul on Feb. 1, 2021. (Yonhap)
julesyi@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
(LEAD) Na bows out of PPP leadership race
-
(2nd LD) Na bows out of PPP leadership race
-
Lawmaker tables bill on mandating nonflammable material in noise tunnels
-
Nat'l pension anticipated to be fully drained in 2055: NPS
-
300 won in cashable points to be provided for every cafe beverage bought in reusable cups
-
N. Korean leader's sister condemns U.S. provision of tanks to Ukraine
-
(LEAD) Two Chinese warplanes entered KADIZ earlier this week: S. Korean military
-
Prosecutors indict head of hotel adjoining site of Itaewon crowd crush
-
Nat'l pension anticipated to be fully drained in 2055: NPS
-
Seoul education chief convicted in hiring of fired teachers; seat at risk