North Korea scraps all economic cooperation with South in further blow to inter-Korea ties
- North Korean state media said laws governing economic ties, including on the operation of the Mount Kumgang tourism project, will be abolished
- Officials in Seoul said the North’s unilateral action would only deepen its isolation, adding that South Korea does not recognise the move
The assembly, which takes formal steps to adopt policy decisions of the ruling Workers’ Party, also voted to abolish laws governing economic ties with Seoul, including the special law on the operation of the Mount Kumgang tourism project.
The tours to the scenic mountain just north of the eastern border were a symbol of economic cooperation that began during a period of engagement between the two Koreas in early 2000s, drawing nearly 2 million South Korean visitors.
The project was suspended in 2008 after a South Korean tourist who strayed into a restricted zone was shot and killed by North Korean guards.
Hyundai Asan, an affiliate of the Hyundai Group conglomerate which invested more than 750 billion won (US$564 million) in developing the Kumgang project, declined to comment on the report.
South Korea’s Unification Ministry, which handles ties with Pyongyang, said the North’s action was not surprising and would only deepen its isolation. Seoul does not recognise the unilateral move, an official added.