As already opened to public, the DPRK promulgated a law on special zone for international tour of Mt. Kumgang of the DPRK following three-year suspension of the tour of the mountain due to the south Korean authorities. Then it took measures allowing the south Korean businesses to register their businesses and properties again and make up their minds either to take part in international tour or adjust their properties. The DPRK also provided several opportunities for them to hold negotiations with the DPRK.

This was an expression of sincerity and magnanimity as it was a measure taken as compatriots to protect the property right and interests of the south side's businesses.

The south Korean authorities, however, obstructed the negotiations between the DPRK and the south side's NGO business groups for the adjustment of properties. A few days ago, they proposed north-south authorities' working talks in a bid to totally elbow out NGOs from the negotiations.

The DPRK side conveyed its stand that it can hold authorities' working talks on condition that the south side brings NGO groups to the Mt. Kumgang resort and start adjusting properties even though it was well aware of the ulterior aim sought by it.

The south Korean authorities, however, misled public opinion for no good reason, saying that the DPRK rejected the north-south authorities' working talks. They neither sent NGO groups nor showed up themselves.

This proves that the "protection of property right" of the south side's businesses touted by the south Korean authorities are empty talks and the proposed authorities' working talks are nothing but a trick to block the adjustment of properties and scotch international tour and the south Koreans' resumption of tour of Mt. Kumgang.

The DPRK side notified the south side that it would start the legal disposal of the south side's properties according to its law unless the south side responds to the negotiations for the adjustment of the properties by July 29.

Now that it has become impossible to hold negotiations due to the unreasonable obstructions of the puppet group, the Guidance Bureau declares that it would start the legal disposal of all the real estates and other properties of the south side inside the special zone for international tour of Mt. Kumgang.

The DPRK notified Hyundai of this decision at Mt. Kumgang resort so that it can be conveyed to the south side's businesses. It also informed the south Korean authorities of the decision through a Panmunjom channel.

The period of undergoing the procedures for the legal disposal of the south side's businesses' properties is three weeks and those concerned of the south side are obliged to witness the proceedings.

The disposal period can be extended if necessary so as to offer the south side's businesses the opportunities of taking part in international tour or leasing, transferring and selling their properties.

Those businesses whose entry into Mt. Kumgang resort is difficult due to the authorities' obstruction can entrust the matter to a third party. They can meet the DPRK side in a third place for the registration and disposal of their properties or can choose other ways.

Those businesses which failed to take part in the legal disposal of the properties within three weeks shall be considered as having given up their property right and their properties shall be disposed of according to the law on special zone for international tour of Mt. Kumgang.

Those real estates shall be used for international tour after going through necessary procedures.

The responsibility for the prevailing situation entirely rests with the south Korean authorities.

These measures taken by the DPRK fully conform with the DPRK law and the international usage and therefore, the south side has no right to appeal against them.