North Korea is dismantling facility near border for separated families: Seoul
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North Korea has been escalating its rhetoric against its southern neighbour in recent years, designating South Korea as a "hostile state".
PHOTO: REUTERS
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SEOUL - North Korea is dismantling a facility at its Mount Kumgang resort used for hosting meetings between families separated after the Korean War, South Korea said on Feb 13, in the latest sign of strained tensions between the two Koreas.
In a statement, Seoul's Unification Ministry, which handles affairs between the two Koreas, urged North Korea to immediately stop the action at the site near the border.
The demolition of the facility is an "anti-humanitarian act that tramples on the wishes of separated families", the ministry said, adding that it would consider legal measures over the action and a joint response with the international community.
North Korea has been escalating its rhetoric against its southern neighbour in recent years, designating South Korea as a "hostile state".
Pyongyang also blew up sections of inter-Korean roads and rail lines
In 2023, Pyongyang scrapped a 2018 military accord
Nonetheless, there have been recent signs that North Korea may be prepared to reopen to some foreign visitors for the first time in more than five years since the closure of its borders to tourism due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Beijing-based Koryo Tours on Feb 13 said tours to North Korea were "officially back", with some of its staff allowed to enter the Rason area in what it hoped would mark the relaunch of tourism. REUTERS
