The Unification Ministry said Wednesday that resuming South Korean tours to North Korea's Mount Geumgang is connected to overall inter-Korean relations.
 
Ministry spokesman Lim Byeong-cheol said in a daily briefing that a comprehensive review of ways to guarantee the safety of tourists and to defuse various other concerns is necessary in order to resume the tour program. 
 
Lim also clarified Unification Minister Ryoo Kihl-jae's remark on Tuesday expressing Seoul's willingness to discuss Geumgang tours if a second round of high-level inter-Korean talks is held. The spokesman said the minister was reiterating Seoul's existing stance that it is open to dialogue if North Korea withdraws its unjust demands and proposes talks with sincerity.