By Kim Sue-young
Staff Reporter
A high-ranking government official warned North Korea, Thursday, not to underestimate the seriousness of the fatal shooting of a South Korean tourist at the Mount Geumgang tourism complex. He indicated that Seoul would take a hard-line stance against Pyongyang if it continues to reject the request for a joint investigation of the incident.
``We will take action when the appropriate time comes,'' the official told reporters on condition of anonymity, indicating the government's growing frustration over Pyongyang's reaction to the killing.
The official urged the Stalinist state to recognize the seriousness of the matter and the growing anger of the South Korean people, adding that the South wants the North to officially express its position at a government level, not a private one.
He refused to elucidate what hard-line action could be taken, but observers said South Koreans will probably be barred from visiting the North until it guarantees the safety of visitors to Mount Geumgang. However, at this stage, the South has no plan to suspend the Gaesong tour program, the official added.
Park Wang-ja, 53, a housewife from Seoul was shot dead by a soldier on July 11 on a beach during a tour of the resort on the North's east coast. She allegedly strayed into a restricted military zone while taking a predawn stroll.
The government has called for a joint investigation at the site of the killing, but Pyeongyang has rejected the request, shifting the blame to Seoul.
``If the North keeps showing the same irresponsible attitude, we will take action depending on the situation,'' the official said.
``I am waiting for the North to respond to our call to allow a fact-finding mission to investigate the site of the shooting at an early date.''
He also warned that the North's silence would worsen international sentiment, which will eventually put the secretive state at a disadvantage.
The South has suspended the Mt. Geumgang tourism program until a joint investigation is made, which is construed as a virtual ban on visits to press Pyongyang to cooperate.
Hyundai Asan, the operator of the Mount Geumgang Resort made a public apology over the killing, vowing to make all-out efforts to ensure no repetition of the tragedy.
The government plans to announce an interim report on the killing today.
In a related development, the Ministry of Unification has advised civic groups to reconsider plans to visit North Korea due to the soured relations, a ministry spokesman said same day.
``An official called several organizations Wednesday and explained the current situation,'' Kim Ho-nyoun, the spokesman for the ministry, told reporters. ``We also exchanged opinions about the trips. But whether or not to permit their visit is up to the North.''
Four groups which have mapped out large-scale meetings, including the Korean Teachers and Educational Worker's Union and the minor opposition Democratic Labor Party, received the calls from the ministry, sources said.
The union planned to have a joint outing with about 100 educators from Aug. 10-14, while the labor party was scheduled to meet with the North Korean Social Democratic Party in mid-August.
To make a visit to the reclusive state, people or organizations must submit an application to the ministry and receive an invitation from North Korea in advance.
The spokesman stressed the ministry has not banned those groups from entering the North, but advised them their moves should be congruent with government policy.