North Korea kicks South Korea out of Mount Kumgang Project

Mount Kumgang is a joint project shared between the two Koreas, located on the eastern coast in North Korea's Gangwon Province.  Or at least, it was shared until North Korea kicked South Korea out of it.  After telling South Korean investors to draw up plans to protect their assets, they have been forced out of the resort entirely.  Now North Korea wants to open it up to tourism from China and other countries, seeing as a viable resource to add wealth to its struggling coffers.  Once a symbol of possible compromise between the two nations technically at war, now this resort stands as yet another source of conflict.

South Korea and North Korea haven't seen eye to eye for a good while, namely due to the rising tensions between the countries over the past few years.  One incident that directly involves the Kumgang Resort occured in 2008, when a South Korean tourist was shot and killed.  South Korea petitioned for a formal apology from the North, as well as a full investigation into the matter.  As a result of this and other recent events, the Mount Kumgang talks ceased, with neither side willing to budge on its stance.  This resort not only once served as a meeting point between the two countries for talks during more peaceful times, it was also the site of tearful reunions of families separated by the Korean War sixty years ago.

But now North Korea hopes to attract tourists from all around the globe with its tour packages.  The package would take you from Yanji on the eastern China/North Korea border on a drive down through North Korea to the port of Rason, and then on a leisurely boat cruise to Kumgang.  How much would it cost a tourist to embark on this 5-day all-inclusive tour?  A mere $310 US dollars.

South Korea plans on sending appeals to all countries who might consider visiting North Korea encouraging them not to partake in any offered tour packages.  

Would you want to take a tour in North Korea to Mount Kumgang?

North Korea and Russia and the 6-Party Talks

Anyone who has kept up with the news of North Korea in recent years is familiar with the ways this reclusive country attempts to gain aid. After repeated instances of nuclear threat, shelling of islands in South Korea, and torpedoing a South Korean ship, North Korea seems to be taking a higher road in its pursuit of fuel and food.

Kim Jong-il paid a visit to Russia this week to discuss and rejoin the 6-party talks over nuclear disarmament--with the intent of ending its nuclear standoff.

Russia had long been an ally of North Korea until the fall of the Soviet Union, after which North Korea turned to China for help. The Russian President Medvedev and Kim Jong-il also discussed the possibility of a natural gas pipeline funneling from Russia to South Korea. North Korea could stand to earn up to 100 million dollars each year from this venture, which would greatly help the ailing nation.

Seemingly, these recent talks and reduced aggression are moves to show that North Korea is still a powerful and great nation in the eyes of its people. These events happen just prior to the 100th birthday of its founder, Kim Il-sung, and in the midst of a power shift.

In addition to Russian and North Korean diplomats, the US and South Korea have been discussing when all parties involved will be able to return to nuclear dialogues. The 6-party talks also include Japan and China.

This news isn't met without skepticism, however, and justifiably so. What exactly are North Korea's intentions these days? Is this a momentary change of heart to generate some sympathy and aid? Or are there deeper internal struggles within the country that necessitate these recent changes?

How do you feel about North Korea and their recent cool-down in behavior? I'd like to hear your thoughts.