北총리 "금강산관광지구 우리식으로 건설"…통일부 "만나 협의"<br />North Korea's state-run news agency is reporting that a senior regime official has called for recreating the Mt. Geumgang tourist area in their own way.<br />Responding to the development, South Korea urged the North to return to talks at an "appropriate time."<br />Kim Dami reports.<br /> <br />Visiting tourist sites at Mount Geumgang recently, North Korean Premier Kim Tok-hun reportedly called for remodeling the area into a modern, all-inclusive international tourist and cultural area.<br />He stressed the area will be recreated (quote) in the regime's own way. <br />Under yearly and phased plans, the premier also discussed development projects for world-class hotels, golf courses and ski resorts. <br /> This is in line with what the North demanded from the South in late 2019 when it pressed the South remove its facilities at Mount Geumgang. <br />Seoul requested face-to-face meetings with Pyeongyang in a bid to solve the issue, but after insisting on discussions in writing, the regime eventually suspended the demand in late January because of the COVID-19 pandemic.<br /> Observers say these projects could be included in a new five-year plan to be unveiled at the North's Workers' Party congress next month.<br />That's why watchers believe the regime is once again pushing Seoul to tear down the South Korean-built tour facilities in the area. <br />Seoul's unification ministry, in response, said the two Koreas share a consensus on the need to solve the Mount Geumgang issue and develop the area into an international tourist spot. <br /> It further voiced hope for meetings and consultations at an appropriate time and in consideration of various situations, including the COVID-19 crisis.<br />Kim Dami, Arirang News. <br />
