| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Captain Corea
Joined: 28 Feb 2005
Location: Seoul
|
 Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 10:32 pm Post subject: N.Korea Seizes S.Korean Property in Mt. Kumgang |
 |
|
http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2010/04/09/2010040900476.html
| Quote: |
N.Korea Seizes S.Korean Property in Mt. Kumgang
North Korea has frozen the property owned by the South Korean government and the Korea Tourism Organization in the Mt. Kumgang resort area as part of a campaign to pressure the South into resuming lucrative package tours to the resort. It also scrapped the contract with tour operator Hyundai Asan and warned it will "reconsider" the joint Kaesong Industrial Complex.
In a statement on Thursday, the North's Guidance Bureau for Comprehensive Development of Scenic Spots, which is in charge of the tourism, said it is seizing a meeting hall for separated families built by the South Korean government, and a cultural hall, a hot spring spa, and a duty-free shop owned by the Korea Tourism Organization, as well as deporting their management staff, according to the official [North] Korean Central News Agency.
"In circumstances where there is no way to revive the Mt. Kumgang tours, we now declare that we are taking the steps� following a survey of assets owned by South Korea in the Mt. Kumgang tourist area." South Korean officials duly followed a summons to present themselves for the "survey" last month, where the increasingly cash-strapped North warned them of "extraordinary steps" unless the tours resume by April 1.
The statement said Pyongyang will "completely reconsider the Kaesong Industrial Complex project if the South Korean conservative clique ridicules and insults our sincere efforts and continues to tread a path of confrontation that runs counter to the spirit of joint statements and national aspirations."
"Package tours to Mt. Kumgang by Koreans and foreigners will begin again soon with a new business partner since our agreement and contract with Hyundai over tourism are no longer effective due to the South Korean authorities," the statement said. It also formally stripped South Korean companies that did not respond to the summons of their business licenses and banned their staff from the Mt. Kumgang area. |
I guess this is not really a big surprise - it seemed to be heading in this direction. The North shot a woman, didn't want to cooperate in its investigation, and then expected things to quickly return to normal. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
ThingsComeAround
Joined: 07 Nov 2008
|
| Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 10:46 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Only way into NK is through China now?
That's KJI's loss. Not South Korea |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
toadkillerdog
Joined: 11 Nov 2009
Location: Daejeon. ROK
|
| Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 12:20 am Post subject: |
|
|
| And really, who didn't see this one coming? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
cdninkorea
Joined: 27 Jan 2006
Location: Seoul
|
| Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2010 6:19 am Post subject: |
|
|
The companies that invested in North Korea got what they deserved; funding a country that embodies evil (human rights abuse specifically) shouldn't be a profitable endeavor. I'm glad that it isn't anymore.
That said, the thought of elderly Koreans permanently separated from their long lost loved ones makes me really sad when I think about it. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
