Mt. Keumkang Tourism Dragged again by North Korea

The government is likely to be the main organization to manage the Mt. Keumkang tour business, which was once forced to stop due to Hyundai Asan`s financial difficulties.

According to Jung Jin-Suk, the spokesperson of the United Liberal Democrats (ULD), Hong Soon-Young, the Minister of Unification, met Kim Jong-Pil, president of ULD, in the ULD office on the 22nd, and said, "As a matter of fact, the character of Mt. Keumkang tour business changed from economics to politics or peacemaking. The government is thinking about making the government the of main organization for the project rather than Hyundai in the long run."

Such comments from Minister Hong is likely to cause a stir since it means that the government accepted North Korea`s demand that the South Korean government should certify the payment for the price of Mt. Keumkang tour instead of Hyundai, which is insolvent.

Meanwhile, in order to realize its plan, the government reportedly plans to announce a measure to support Mt. Keumkang tour business on the 23rd including the measure to provide tour expenses for separated families or students on their school excursion to Mt. Geumgang.

▽Problems of government support = The government explained that it supports the Mt. Keumkang tour business as a `peace project` that may guarantee a peaceful relationship between North and South Koreas.

The problem is that when the government begins to provide aid, it will face criticism that it is being inconsistent with its policy toward North Korea. Minister Hong said at the meeting with journalists on December 21st last year, "The lesson we learn from IMF is that civil enterprises and governmental enterprises should be separated by the principle of market economy. Even though we hope that the Mt. Keumkang tour could continue, it is not desirable to provide governmental support."

Moreover, the split in national opinion due to the protest of opposition parties and uncontrollable chaos are anticipated when the government steps forward from indirect aid to undertaking the management of the whole business, and should the Mt. Keumkang tour business fall into difficulties again.

▽Problem of linking it to the Arirang Festival = Expressing the plan to support Mt. Keumkang tour business, the government announced that it would accept the ground tour of Mt. Keumkang, aiming to connect it to the Arirang Festival which celebrates the 90th birthday of chairman Kim Il-Sung, if North Korea formally proposes it.

But we do not have any specific information on the program of Arirang Festival that North Korea is promoting. Therefore, if North Korea makes use of the masses to show off the superiority of its political system, using it to criticize the U.S. and distribute propaganda, the government might be open to the criticism for recommending its citizens to watch the propaganda performance of the North.

Meanwhile, ULD president Mr. Kim expressed the political circle`s worries to Minister Hong by saying, "It is irresponsible for the government to employ a policy according to what a civilian company representative delivered from North. You would do better to stick to principle in the policy toward North Korea."

Young-Sik Kim spear@donga.com · swpark@donga.com