Unification Minister Chung: “Mt. Geumgang Tour Project Has Been Boosted by the Public’s Money”

The South Korean government announced yesterday that it will actively intervene in the increased tension between Hyundai and North Korea that was created in promoting the Mt. Geumgang tour project.

Unification Minister Chung Dong-young, the head of the South’s delegation who is attending the 16th inter-Korean ministerial meeting in Pyongyang, clarified the government’s will to step in the matter in an interview with reporters at Koryo Hotel yesterday afternoon, saying, “The Mt. Geumgang tour project has been boosted not only by the South Korean government’s sacrifice and support, but also by the public’s funds.”

The South Korean government has expressed its stance that the Mt. Geumgang tour project is a civil-promoted project between Hyundai and the North’s Asia-Pacific Peace Committee.

Minister Chung said, “Before coming here, I met with Hyundai Group chairwoman Hyun Jeong-eun and former President Kim Dae-jung to discuss the South Korean government’s role in mediating the issue,” adding, “Since Hyun posted her opinion on the Hyundai Group website on September 12, the South Korean government is having difficulty intervening in the matter.”

Jung-Ahn Kim credo@donga.com