Noting that the Park group unilaterally shut down the KIP without any agreement, the statement branded it as an illegal and unreasonable "exercise of authority without any justification and procedural validity".

It stressed that the operation of the KIP is a legitimate project guaranteed by a law in 2004 and one which the north and the south agreed not to shut down under any circumstances.

It urged the authorities to honestly respond to the people's will and immediately resume the dialogue between the north and the south and cooperation undertakings such as the KIP.