In a move that has further strained inter-Korean relations, North Korea is dismantling a significant facility at its Mount Kumgang resort, previously used for reunions of families separated since the Korean War. South Korea’s Unification Ministry, responsible for inter-Korean affairs, has condemned this action as an “anti-humanitarian act that tramples on the wishes of separated families” and has called for an immediate halt to the demolition.
The 12-story building, constructed in 2008 with a budget of 55 billion won (approximately $38 million) funded by South Korea, featured an event hall and over 200 guest rooms. It served as the venue for emotional reunions between separated families, with the last such meeting held in August 2018. Since then, North Korea had threatened to dismantle the resort, citing various grievances.
As of December last year, more than 130,000 South Koreans had registered to reunite with their separated family members in the North, but only 36,941 were still alive, according to government data. The demolition of this facility not only dashes the hopes of these aging individuals but also symbolizes the deteriorating relationship between the two Koreas.
Mount Kumgang resort, located just beyond the demilitarized zone separating the two countries, was once a symbol of inter-Korean cooperation. Alongside the Kaesong industrial zone, it represented efforts toward rapprochement during decades of hostilities following the 1950-53 Korean War.
However, relations have soured in recent years. In 2020, North Korea demolished a joint liaison office in Kaesong after expressing dissatisfaction over defectors sending propaganda leaflets into the North. The North has also escalated its rhetoric, designating South Korea as a “hostile state.”
In 2023, Pyongyang unilaterally scrapped a 2018 military accord designed to reduce the risk of inadvertent clashes between the two countries, prompting South Korea to take a similar step. Despite these tensions, there have been indications that North Korea may be preparing to reopen to foreign visitors for the first time in more than five years, following a prolonged closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Beijing-based Koryo Tours recently announced that tours to North Korea are “officially back,” with some of its staff permitted to enter the Rason area, signaling a potential relaunch of tourism.
The dismantling of the Mount Kumgang facility marks a significant setback for inter-Korean relations and the prospects of future family reunions. South Korea’s Unification Ministry has stated that it will consider legal measures and seek a joint response from the international community to address this “anti-humanitarian” act.
The international community will be closely monitoring these developments, as the demolition not only affects inter-Korean ties but also has broader implications for regional stability and humanitarian efforts on the Korean Peninsula.
