The RoK’s Ministry of Unification said in its press release on June 27that the visit, at the request of DPRK, aims to ascertain DPRK'sposition on property issues at Mount Kumgang as well as to seek measuresto protect ROK businesses’ assets.
Tourismactivities to Mount Kumgang have been suspended since 2008 after a RoKtourist was killed while venturing into an off-limit area.
Since then, Seoul has continued to ask DPRK to investigate the case aswell as to ensure safety for RoK tourists. However, last year, DPRKunilaterally confiscated assets of RoK businesses at Mount Kumgang,which triggered more tension in the two countries’ relations./.