It is deplorable that the tour of Mt. Kumgang which had lasted for ten years as a symbol of cooperation between the north and the south and reunification was ruthlessly suspended in less than five months after the present south Korean authorities took office, the statement said, and went on:

It is well known that the south Korean authorities are avoiding the resumption of tour of Mt. Kumgang not because they are concerned about the personal safety of tourists but because they consider it as part of the sanctions against the DPRK to block the tour, regarding it as someone's means for "earning money."

This is an unpardonable insult and mockery of the DPRK and all the fellow countrymen.

As a matter of fact, the DPRK has conducted a deficit operation by giving the south side the greatest special benefit as regards the tour of Mt. Kumgang.

It has exercised utmost patience for nearly three years. There is no more prospect of resuming the tour of Mt. Kumgang.

This situation compels the DPRK to opt for exercising its right as the party to the agreement according to its law and international law.

In this regard it informed the Hyundai side of its stand that it may terminate the validity of the provision of the agreement on tour of Mt. Kumgang signed with the Hyundai side which calls for granting it monopoly over the tour, the DPRK may take charge of the tour through the areas of the north side and entrust an overseas businessman with the tour and the Hyundai group may continue conducting the tour through the areas of the south side and formally handed an official document related to it to the side.

Accordingly, the KAPPC and the General Guidance Bureau for the Development of Scenic Spots of the DPRK proposed a relevant organ of the DPRK to take a legal measure as regards the tour of Mt. Kumgang.

A state measure will be taken soon to renew the tour of Mt. Kumgang.

The Hyundai side's loss of the exclusive right to conduct the tour of Mt. Kumgang is entirely attributable to the south Korean authorities' moves to escalate the confrontation with fellow countrymen and scuttle the tourism.

Trust and cooperation between the DPRK and the Hyundai Group will go on in the future, too, and the DPRK remains unchanged in its stand to realize the desire of the south Koreans to tour Mt. Kumgang.