Analysis What Kim Jong Un’s Mount Kumgang visit bodes for inter-Korean tiesDespite suggestions that Pyongyang may be creating an opening for talks with Seoul, such a policy shift appears unlikely North Korean state media on October 23 reported that Kim Jong Un visited Mt. Kumgang, his first reported visit to the site where the South Korean government and private firms have assets. The report cited Kim Jong Un as issuing an instruction to “completely remove, upon reaching an agreement with relevant sectors of the South side, the South side’s shabby facilities, whose very sight makes one feel unpleasant.” Kim also was quoted as saying it is “wrong” to think “Mt. Kumgang tours cannot be carried out unless North-South relations develop,” and that, “though we will © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. |