Recalling that the north side has so far made all possible sincerity and efforts to resume the Mt. Kumgang tourism so as to meet the south Korean people's wish to sightsee this famous mountain of the nation, the statement said:

However, the authorities of the south side are taking very dishonest attitude, instead of responding to our side's good faith and magnanimity.

The authorities of south Korea including officials of the "Ministry of Unification" raised the "three preconditions"--probe into the truth behind the "case of a tourist", prevention of recurrence of such case and guarantee of personal safety--for the resumption of tourism, shifting the blame for the suspended tourism on to north side. And they have unhesitatingly made such reckless remarks that they will not resume tourism without getting response to those demands and do not acknowledge the "agreement with civilian businesswoman".

Furthermore, they are demanding an "apology" for the said "case" while blaring that they will not allow cash-term tourism even though the "preconditions" are met and that the resumption of tourism of Mt. Kumgang and Kaesong will be possible only under the condition that transparency for the return from tourism is ensured.

What amazed us is that such smear campaign for confrontation was joined by the chief executive of south Korea.

The above-said remarks are sheer sophism reminiscent of a thief crying "Stop the thief!" and a blatant insult and mockery of the DPRK's sincerity and efforts.

As a matter of fact, it is none other than the south side which gets benefit from Mt. Kumgang tourism.

It is clearly exemplified by the fact that after the suspension of Mt. Kumgang tourism the Hyundai Asan was put on the verge of bankruptcy and dozens of relevant enterprises suffered a lot, to say nothing of the livelihood of the inhabitants in the area of South Kangwon Province.

All facts go to clearly prove that the ulterior intention of the south side authorities including the "Ministry of Unification" is not to resume Mt. Kumgang tourism and that they only seek to take an active part in the U.S. farce to apply "sanctions" against the DPRK and thus stoke confrontation with fellow countrymen, regardless of the inter-Korean relations and the fate of businesses of the south side and its people's livelihood.

The issue of the resumption of the tourism brought into bolder relief their true colors of the present authorities in south Korea as obstructionists of reconciliation and cooperation and die-hard confrontational elements of the nation.

It is needless to say that as long as such anti-reunification elements as Hyon In Thaek are allowed to stay in the ministry it is impossible to make smooth progress in the resumption of Mt. Kumgang tourism nor is it possible to improve the inter-Korean relations.

Absolutely intolerable are the ministry's moves to abuse even the noble tourism for inciting confrontation with fellow countrymen. All the Koreans will never pardon Hyon and the ministry.

The ministry and the conservative authorities of south Korea should immediately stop ridiculous acts, facing up to the trend of the times.