DPRK proposes talks on Mt Kumgang tours

SEOUL - The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Wednesday proposed separate working-level talks with the Republic of Korea(ROK) on resumption of Mount Kumgang tour and reunion of families separated due to the 1950-53 Korean War, the Unification Ministry said here Wednesday.

Seoul received the proposal from Pyongyang via communication channels at the truce village of Panmunjom, the Ministry said in a statement.

The DPRK asked ROK to hold talks on suspended Mount Kumgang tour on July 17 and separate dialogue on the family reunion on July 19 in Mount Kumgang resort or Kaesong, the DPRK's border town.

In response, Seoul agreed to hold talks on the family reunion in Panmunjom between Red Cross officials from both sides, but rejected the proposed dialogue on resumption of Mount Kumgang tour.

The ministry said that it would be desirable for Seoul and Pyongyang to focus on the ongoing dialogue to normalize operation of the joint industrial zone in Kaesong.

ROK and the DPRK agreed Wednesday to hold the third round of working-level talks on July 15 at the Kaesong industrial park on how to prevent the repetition of unilateral shutdown of the joint industrial park where 123 ROK's companies run factories.  

The DPRK pulled its workers out of the park in April amid escalated tension on the Korean Peninsula.