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DPRK, RoK set date for travel resumption negotiations

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) has agreed to sit down with the Republic of Korea (RoK) on February 8 to discuss resumption of travels between the two.
The Democratic People’s Republic ofKorea (DPRK) has agreed to sit down with the Republic of Korea (RoK) onFebruary 8 to discuss resumption of travels between the two.

The RoK Ministry of Unification spokesperson, Chun Hae-sung, publicisedthe news at a recent press briefing in Seoul . He said his ministry onFeb. 2 received notice from the Asian-Pacific Peace Committee of theDPRK, confirming its decision to send three experts to negotiatereopening the Kumgang mountain resort and the border town of Kaesongfor tourism.

However, the two sides still disagreed on what positions negotiatorsshould maintain. Chun said the RoK persisted that the DPRK delegationshould be led by a high-level official having a mandate to discusssecurity issues so agreements reached at top administrative rankingscan be recognised and deployed by both sides.

Earlier, the DPRK proposed that the negotiation be held on January 26but it has been delayed to February 8 on the RoK’s wishes.

Tourist operations on the Kumgang mountain was stopped in 2008 after afemale tourist from the RoK was shot dead by a DPRK soldier. Travels inthe same year to the Kaesong town experienced a similar fate./.
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