Minju Joson Sunday observes in a signed commentary in this regard:

This is a mockery of the south Korean people hoping for the resumption of the tour and the reckless action seriously insulting the DPRK which has made sincere efforts to have their wish realized.

Disclosing the aim sought by the south Korean authorities, which regard the life of people not worth one fly, by peddling the issue of "safety", the commentary goes on:

The south Korean people from all walks of life are set to make the "election to local self-governing bodies" due in June as an occasion for judging the conservative group getting hell-bent on sycophancy toward the U.S. and treachery, confrontation with compatriots and unpopular misrule.

Internal scrambles for power are reported nonstop from ruling group in the meantime.

It is against this backdrop that the south Korean authorities are resorting to mean methods to block the resumption of tour and shift the blame onto others, while persistently raising the "issue of safety of tourists" in a bid to mislead the public opinion, divert elsewhere the people's attention and thus tide over the ruling crisis.

However, this will only result in further deteriorating the inter-Korean relations and worsening their ruling crisis.

If the south Korean authorities continue to obstruct the tour while making far-fetched assertions, the DPRK will be left with no other option but to take a decisive step. This step will include the cancellation of all tour-related agreements and contracts it granted to the south side out of special favor and freeze of real estate of the south side in the tourist resort.

The south Korean authorities should stop making far-fetched assertions, bearing in mind that they will be held fully accountable for all ensuing consequences.