Epaksa to hold concert on Mt. Kumgang

A Korean techno trot singer, whose pen name is Epaksa, or Dr. Lee, is poised to become the first South Korean artist to stage a concert on Mt. Kumgang in North Korea. Hyundai Merchant Marine said Monday that Epaksa would perform in Mt. Kumgang Cultural Hall on Wednesday evening. Tickets are $15 each. South and North Korea have held a number of entertainment exchanges, but this is the first time a South Korean singer will hold a solo performance in North Korea.

Hyundai said it is also a first for a South Korean singer to actually perform on Mt. Kumgang, not just on one of the cruise ships that carry tourists to the North Korean resort area. A Hyundai official said that North Korean authorities abruptly authorized the performance and that this was interpreted as an expression of its desire to continue the Mt. Kumgang tour project. Hyundai Merchant Marine also plans to stage a performance by the Pusan Municipal Art, Dance and Traditional Music Troupe on Mt. Kumgang next month. It is also preparing a number of other events at Mt. Kumgang Cultural Hall, such as a function to commemorate the first anniversary of the historic inter-Korean summit last June.

Kim Dong-Won daviskim@donga.com