Commenting on this, a news analyst of Rodong Sinmun Monday says:

The south Korean authorities put off the north-south working talks for the resumption of the tour of Mt. Kumgang under the absurd pretext, a sleight of hand revealing their shallow trick.

The authorities will be left with no reason to while away time under the absurd pretext if they truly stand for the resumption of tour.

As for the north-south Red Cross talks and the scheduled reunion of separated families and relatives which they said took into "consideration", they were provided thanks to the initiative and sincere efforts made by the DPRK to improve the inter-Korean relations and have made progress under an agreement reached between the north and the south. Clear is an aim sought by the authorities when dragging on the working talks under the absurd pretext that can hardly convince anyone. That is to chill the mounting atmosphere of the improvement of the inter-Korean relations after whiling away time under the pretexts of "examination" and "consideration" and create another pretext for dodging the resumption of tourism and thus hamstring it for an indefinite period.

If the south Korean authorities truly wish for the improved inter-Korean relations, they should show their will for it by sincerely and positively approaching the dialogue and negotiations for the resumption of tourism, to begin with.