Seoul: The unification ministry announced on Thursday that North Korea is dismantling a facility meant for reunions of separated families located within its Mount Kumgang tourist area. The ministry strongly urged Pyongyang to cease the demolition immediately.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Koo Byoung-sam, the spokesman for the South Korean ministry, expressed "strong regrets" over North Korea's actions, indicating that South Korea is considering legal measures against what it views as an infringement on its property rights. The facility in question was the last remaining structure owned by South Korea in the Mount Kumgang resort, which was previously seen as a symbol of inter-Korean reconciliation.
Koo emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, "We express strong regrets over the unilateral demolition ... and sternly urge North Korea to immediately stop it," adding that all consequences from this action should be borne by North Korea. He described the demolition as a violation of humanity that disregards the aspirations of separated families and breaches South Korea's property rights.
The ministry is exploring various responses, including legal steps and seeking international support. The building, completed in 2008 with a budget of 51.2 billion won (approximately US$35.2 million) from South Korea, was intended for family reunions between the two Koreas, which have remained divided since the Korean War in 1950-53.
Since its opening, the facility hosted its first reunion in 2009, followed by five more events between 2010 and 2018. However, no reunions have been organized since due to deteriorating inter-Korean relations. As of the end of December, 36,941 South Koreans have registered their desire to reunite with family members in the North, though many have passed away without fulfilling this wish.
An official from the unification ministry noted that signs of the building's dismantling have been visible since late last year, with outer tiles and the top-floor observation post currently being removed, and annexed structures also being taken down. This ongoing demolition means there will be no South Korean-owned facilities left at the scenic site, where South Korea had once made significant investments through a joint tourist initiative.
In the previous year, North Korea had already dismantled a golf course clubhouse and a fire station funded by South Korea, following earlier demolitions of a hotel and other tourist facilities. The demolition activities began in 2022 after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited the area in October 2019, ordering the removal of facilities deemed "unpleasant-looking," following an inconclusive summit with then U.S. President Donald Trump in Hanoi.
Despite Kim's 2019 directive to build a new cultural and tourist zone after the demolitions, there have been no indications of new construction efforts to date.