ID :
197347
Tue, 07/26/2011 - 14:37
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/197347
The shortlink copeid
N. Korea conditionally agrees to meet with S. Korea over seized assets
SEOUL, July 26 (Yonhap) -- North Korea conditionally accepted South Korea's proposal to hold talks this week to resolve an ongoing dispute over the handling of seized South Korean assets at a North Korean mountain resort, Seoul's unification ministry said Tuesday.
The North sent the South a notice earlier in the day that business representatives should be brought to the talks, according to the ministry.
On Monday, South Korea proposed that officials from the two sides meet Friday at the resort on Mount Kumgang for a third round of talks.
A delegation of South Korean government officials and business representatives has traveled twice to the North since late June after the communist state threatened to dispose of South Korean assets at the scenic resort. North Korea seized some of the assets last year, apparently in anger over the South's termination of joint tour programs there, which used to serve as a cash cow for the impoverished nation.
This time, Seoul suggested that the issue be discussed at the government level. A resumption of the suspended tours may also be on the agenda, the official added.
South Korea has invested tens of millions of dollars in building hotels, restaurants and a golf course at the resort since 1998 when the North opened it for South Korean tourists. Seoul halted the tour programs in 2008 following the shooting death of a South Korean female tourist at the resort.
North Korea has since unilaterally terminated exclusive tourism rights for Hyundai Asan, a South Korean tour operator, and announced a law designed to develop the resort as a special zone for international tours instead.
The North sent the South a notice earlier in the day that business representatives should be brought to the talks, according to the ministry.
On Monday, South Korea proposed that officials from the two sides meet Friday at the resort on Mount Kumgang for a third round of talks.
A delegation of South Korean government officials and business representatives has traveled twice to the North since late June after the communist state threatened to dispose of South Korean assets at the scenic resort. North Korea seized some of the assets last year, apparently in anger over the South's termination of joint tour programs there, which used to serve as a cash cow for the impoverished nation.
This time, Seoul suggested that the issue be discussed at the government level. A resumption of the suspended tours may also be on the agenda, the official added.
South Korea has invested tens of millions of dollars in building hotels, restaurants and a golf course at the resort since 1998 when the North opened it for South Korean tourists. Seoul halted the tour programs in 2008 following the shooting death of a South Korean female tourist at the resort.
North Korea has since unilaterally terminated exclusive tourism rights for Hyundai Asan, a South Korean tour operator, and announced a law designed to develop the resort as a special zone for international tours instead.
