The Ministry of Unification said Thursday that it has endorsed a visit to North Korea by Hyundai Group chairwoman Hyun Jung-eun.
 
The one-day visit slated for next week is aimed at honoring the 11th anniversary of the death of Chung Mong-hun, the former chairman of the group that operated the now-suspended tour to Mount Geumgang in the North.
 
Hyun, along with Hyundai Asan President Cho Kun-shik and 21 other officials of the Hyundai Group plan to visit the mountain on August 4. They will inspect the facilities at the mountain resort and hold a memorial ceremony for the late chairman.
 
The ministry has endorsed Hyun’s visit for the purpose every year even after the tour was suspended in 2008 after a South Korean tourist was shot and killed at the mountain resort.
 
A ministry official said the group notified the government that it has no plans to meet North Korean officials during the visit.
 
During Hyun’s previous visit to the mountain in August of last year, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un sent a letter expressing well wishes for the Hyundai Group's success. The message was delivered through Won Dong-yon, deputy head of the United Front Department of the Workers’ Party.