Hyundai Sulbong makes maiden voyage from Sokcho

Hyundai Merchant Marine launched its fourth vessel, the high-speed cruiser Hyundai Sulbong, on the Mt. Kumkang Cruise line on Saturday in a ceremony at the Sokcho passenger terminal. About 1,000 Hyundai officials and dignitaries attended.

Following the launching ceremony, the Hyundai Sulbong left Sokcho loaded with about 500 tourists. The cruise ship arrived at Port Jangjon, North Korea at about 4 p.m. for a two-night stay in the resort area.

Those on her maiden voyage to Mt. Kumkang will enjoy the local hot springs and shopping opportunities on the first day of their visit. The following day they will take a sightseeing tour, visit Kuryong Waterfall and take in a performance by a North Korean Circus troupe at Moran Summit. On the third day, the tourists will tour the Samil Falls area. The ship will depart from Port Jangjon at 2:30 p.m. on the last day of the tour and arrive back at Sokcho at 5:30 p.m.

Along with two other tour services to Jangjon, one departing from Tonghae and another from Pusan, the addition of the high-speed cruise ship tour creates three options for those wishing to visit Mt. Kumkang.

Noting the possibility that it may offer a single tour package which includes visits to both Mt. Sorak in South Korea and Mt. Kumkang in the North, Hyundai Merchant Marine said it was currently developing various tour packages lasting from as little as one night to as many as nine.

Kim Dong-Won daviskim@donga.com