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North Korea | travelwirenews.com
November 05, 2006
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North Korean tourism overshadowed by its missiles |
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 North Korean tourism is now a
major issue between the two Koreas. Pyongyang has warned
Seoul not to join the international move to slap sanctions
on the North following UN sanctions over its October
9 nuclear test.
The tourism project at Mount Kumgang is one of a number
of joint initiatives by the two Koreas to promote economic
cooperation in the North, whose economy is dependent
on tourism.
Tourism, along with the industrial zone project, has provided North Korea with at least $900 million since the late 1990s.
The project in Goseong County, a five-hour bus ride from Seoul, lies at the northeastern end of South Korea, partitioned from neighboring residential areas in North Korea by steel fences.Among the buildings inside the zone include a hotel, a diner, a convenience store and a bank. At the hotel, guests receive television broadcasts from South Korea. "It feels just like a miniature South Korea," said South Korea journalist Hwang Woong Jae.
Despite North Korea agreeing to return to arms talks, some countries have demanded the United Nations Security Council to impose sanctions.
Some have raised suspicions over money paid towards the tourism project which may have been used to fund North Korea's nuclear development. "The tourism program seems to be designed to give money to the North Korean regime," said US Assistant Secretary of State and nuclear envoy Christopher Hill.
The nuclear test has also cast a shadow on free enterprise inside the zone which is affecting incomes. Expressing his regret about the test, a restaurant worker said only 150 tourists visited the restaurant during the last three days. "I now receive less money," he said.
A South Korean government spokesman, who believes the project should not be overshadowed by North Korea's runaway nuclear ambitions, said, "The project has brought a hint of freedom to the reclusive state. The conciliatory policy has been specifically aimed at enticing North Korea to reform and open itself up."
Despite the present truce, North and South Korea are still technically at war following the 1950-53 Korean War.
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