Bo-eun leads the digital content team. She has covered foreign affairs, North Korea, tech, economy and gender issues at The Korea Times. She did a short stint at the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong, where she obtained a new perspective on news production and life. Small sources of joy for her are lounging in the sun, having a good latte and swimming.
Mt. Geumgang tourist safety 'guaranteed': NK
North Korea has rejected claims there are safety problems for visitors to Mount Geumgang.
South Korea wants the issue resolved before allowing tours to resume.
North Korean propaganda media said Sunday the North has “already been guaranteeing the highest level of (security) since six years ago."
Through its online media, Uriminzok, a column by the head of the Mount Geumgang tour bureau said: "The world knows that we have guaranteed the highest level of security for tourists to Mount Geumgang since the visit of Hyundai Group Chairwoman (Hyun Jeong-eun) in 2009."
Uriminzok also defended the incident in which a South Korean tourist was shot dead by the North Korean military in July 2008.
"It was an accident that occurred as the tourist violated regulations of the tourist zone and entered a military-controlled area," it said.
"We ask why the South Korean government did not thoroughly inform tourists of precautions and emphasize for them to strictly adhere to them.”
The tour program to the North’s scenic mountain resort has been suspended since the incident. The South Korean government has kept firm in its stance that the tours cannot resume unless the North clarifies the incident, guarantees that such incidents will not recur and prepares measures to ensure the safety of tourists.