Until its suspension in 2008, the joint holiday project was considered a symbol of rapprochement between North and South Korea: due to renewed tensions it has since been suspended - now threatens Pyongyang with the demolition of South Korean hotels on their territory.
North Korea will take "resolute action to unilaterally demolish the facilities," it said. Previously, the South Korean regime had demanded demolition of South Korean-built facilities. North Korea affirmed that it is developing the Kumgang Mountains into an international tourist resort on its own.
The Unification Ministry in Seoul confirmed the receipt of the "ultimatum". A spokesman called North Korea for talks again. The problem should be solved "by mutual agreement". In October, North Korea's ruler Kim Jong Un ordered "all unpleasant-looking assets in South Korea" in the Kumgang Mountains to be disposed of.
Currently, relations between the two countries are stagnating. Eleven years ago, Seoul had shelved a joint travel program for the Kumgang Mountains for killing a North Korean soldier on a South Korean tourist in a restricted area on the mountain.
In the past year, both countries had come closer after the severe tensions in 2017 in the nuclear dispute.
