Mt. Geumgang tourist
industry has begun by departure of
Geumgangho on 18 Nov. 1998. It faced
on its discontinuance as tourists
have decreased upto 10,000,000 within
a month as fulfillment of measures
for activating of tourism was delayed
due to financial difficulty, tourism
by land, special area.
Government believes that Mt. Geumgang
tourist industry is essential for
safe development of the relationship
between South and North Korea and
the Korea Tourist Service Inc. participated
in Mt. Geumgang tourist industry,
got a loan from
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1st departure of a ship, Geumgang |
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| the South-North
Korea Cooperation Fund. Also, government announced
a support policy for Mt. Geumgang tourist industry
and supported tour expenses of those who are students,
teachers, separated families, men of merit, the
disabled, and unification lecturers from the South-North
Korea Cooperation Fund since April of the same
year.
As a result, tourists including students and teachers
have increased from April 2002. Although government
was planning to support tour expenses until tourism
by land or special district is regularized, it
was stopped since 1 Jan. 2003 due to reduction
of appropriation under the condition that the
assembly would be concerned about expense support
only when North Korea makes progress in the nuclear
problem.
Mt. Geumgang tourist industry had hardship in
tourist decrease and financial difficulty and
discontinued as North Korea prevented South Korea
from visiting due to SARS between 26 April and
26 June. But tourism by land has begun again in
2003 and the foundation for activation of tourism
was prepared, such as system needed for development
of a special district. |
