Controversies about the Support of Mt. Keumgang Tour

The government decided to give additional 20 billion won from the Inter-Korean Cooperation Funds for the Mt. Keumgang Tour Project of Hyundai Asan and will release the schedule detail and the amount of the subsidy.

However, as the government unexpectedly changed its previous position on the separation between the economy and the government and since the Grand National Party and the United Liberal Democrats are strongly opposed to the support, severe controversies are anticipated.

A high-ranking official of the Ministry of Unification announced yesterday that "The government decided to support the Mt. Keumgang Tour Project since the peace project must continue, but the financial status of Hyundai Asan is at a critical juncture. The details of the support measures and the amount will be decided through the discussion with the National Assembly and related departments."

He also added that "The government already communicated the intention to support the Mt. Keumgang Tour Project to North Korea through Hyundai Asan CEO Kim Yoon-Gyu and urged the North to keep its promise about designating the Mt. Keumgang Special District."

The government is considering giving 20 billion won of the Inter-Korean Cooperation Funds or part of 45 billion won that has not been delivered to Hyundai Asan among the 90 billion won loaned to Korean Tour Corporation to Hyundai Asan.

Minister of Unification Hong, Sun-Young visited Lee Hoi-Chang, the president of the Grand National Party, to explain the necessity of the governmental support for the Mt. Keumgang Tour Project, but Mr. Lee opposed it saying "We must consider payability of the project and people`s taxes should not be wasted for such project."

Jeong Nak-Jin, spokesperson of the United Liberal Democrats, also expressed his opposition, commenting "That is only a trick to deceive the people, typical of the government`s North Korean policy."

Meanwhile, North Korea proposed to Mr. Kim, Hyundai Asan CEO, to open the Arirang Festival for two months from April 29th in Pyongyang to the Mt. Keumgang tourists. Hyundai Asan revealed that "NK expressed its wish for more South Korean tourists to observe the Arirang Festivities. CEO Kim requested an official proposal from the North."

The North did not mention the tourist route in detail. However, when the tour project is finished, the tourists may use the expressway through Mt. Keumgang-Wonsan-Pyongyang or an airway from Galma Airport in Wonsan to Pyongyang.

Chol-Hi Lee klimt@donga.com