S. Korean beer available at Mt. Geumgang

South Korean tourists to Mount Geumgang will be able to enjoy OB Lager, one of the top beer brands in the South, on the scenic mountain in North Korea.OB Brewery announced on September4 that it recently supplied OB Lager beer to the Mount Kumgang district through the Mount Geumgang sightseeing department at Hyundai Department Store and Hyundai Asan Corp.It is the first time for a South Korea beer to be sold in North Korea, although OB Lager did not undergo an official import procedure.

The OB Lager supplied to the North this time was a canned product, and each will be sold at US$3 at Onjong-gak Resting House and Hot Spring.

About 5,000 cans are sold monthly, and the company expects its supply will increase to about 8,000 cans monthly by the end of this year.

¡°It is likely that our beer will be sold at a floating hotel to be built at Changjon port,¡± A company official said.

OB Lager was offered free of charge for the dinner held at COEX for the separated families of the South and the North last month and at the Sheraton Walker Hill Hotel, where the North Korean visitors stayed.

Lee Hoon dreamland@donga.com