Lee In-young: "Let the People Visit the Northern Land for Tourism"

North Korea Individual Tourism Emphasizes 'Creative Solutions'

Minister of Unification Lee In-young is delivering a congratulatory speech at the "Time Forum for Resuming Inter-Korean Exchanges Including Allowing Individual Tourism to North Korea," held on the afternoon of the 14th at the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Yeouido, Seoul.

Lee In-young, Minister of Unification, said on the 14th that individual tourism to North Korea is a new cooperative space to break the stalemate in inter-Korean relations and a 'creative solution' to resolve the issue of tourism in Mount Kumgang.

In his congratulatory remarks at the forum titled "Again, the Road to Peace, the Gate to Prosperity," held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building in the afternoon, hosted by Democratic Party lawmakers Kang Byung-won and Kim Young-ho, Minister Lee said, "Starting from hometown visits for displaced persons and separated families, the scope and regions can be expanded to include Kaesong and Mount Kumgang tourism accessible by land routes, tourism through third countries, and linked tourism for foreigners between South and North Korea."

He emphasized, "We can never open the future of inter-Korean relations by passively waiting for change or leaving it to circumstances," adding, "Like people in many countries around the world, our citizens should be able to visit the northern land for tourism purposes."

Minister Lee stated, "If people from the divided South and North come and go, the spirit of peace will stir on this land, and this itself will be a message of peace on the Korean Peninsula sent to the world," further explaining, "As individual tourism continues and experiences accumulate, a foundation and basis for easier and freer exchanges between South and North Korea will naturally be established."

While noting the need to consider the situation of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), he expressed hope to "start dialogue and cooperation with the North on individual tourism as soon as possible."

Referring to his recent visit to Jejin Station in Goseong, Gangwon Province, he also recalled the vision for inter-Korean railway connection. Minister Lee said, "If the railways and roads between South and North Korea are restored, trains departing from the South will carry our young people beyond Pyongyang, Sinuiju, Mount Kumgang, and Wonsan to Manchuria, Siberia, and Europe, carrying the dream of peace, coexistence, and prosperity."

He added, "South and North Korea will meet a greater world beyond regional limitations and isolation through cultural imagination and possibilities," and "This will also contribute to the realization of a peace economy beneficial to both South and North."

On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of Liberation Day on the 15th, he also announced a more active drive for inter-Korean exchange and cooperation. Minister Lee said, "We have a firm will that we can no longer allow the current divided situation, where we cannot even set foot on the northern land, to become fixed," and "When the time comes, or even if we have to create the time, we will surely take a definite step toward a future of exchange and cooperation between South and North Korea."

He emphasized, "The government will explore all feasible measures and steadily prepare all necessary matters so that our citizens can safely tour the North Korean region."