South Korea Considers Allowing Individual Travel to North Korea

(MENAFN) South Korea is contemplating the possibility of permitting individual visits to North Korea as part of President Lee Jae-myung’s broader initiative to repair the deteriorated relationship between the two Koreas.

According to a news outlet, Koo Byung-sam, the spokesperson for South Korea's Ministry of Unification, stated, "The government is reviewing and implementing its North Korea policy with the aim of easing tensions on the Korean Peninsula and improving inter-Korean relations. Various measures are under review as part of this process."

Koo responded to a domestic report suggesting that the tourism proposal was discussed during a recent National Security Council meeting chaired by the president.

However, he neither confirmed nor denied any specific details about the potential plans.

The presidential office reiterated that "various plans are under review to improve inter-Korean relations," but declined to share further specifics.

Tours from South Korea to North Korea have been suspended since 2008, following the tragic incident in which a South Korean tourist was fatally shot by a North Korean soldier at Mount Geumgang.

Efforts to revive the travel program have repeatedly encountered setbacks.

Tourism remains one of the few sectors in North Korea that is not restricted by United Nations Security Council sanctions.

South Korean authorities believe that allowing individual travel would adhere to international sanctions, as it does not involve direct monetary exchanges or major financial dealings.

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