North Korea has welcomed the one millionth tourist from South Korea to the Mount Geumgang resort.

In a statement Wednesday, the North's Asia-Pacific Peace Committee hailed the occasion as a great milestone in inter-Korean economic cooperation.

The statement said the occasion also represents the triumph of pro-unification and patriotic forces over those who are divisive and anti-national, and will further spur inter-Korean economic cooperation.

The statement also called the occasion the fruit of the self-reliance ideology vigorously pursued by Koreans since the 2000 summit.

Hyundai Asan, which began the historic tour in November 1998, announced Tuesday the breaking of the one million mark.