Culture and Tourism Minister Chung Dong-chea on Saturday left in a passenger car to Mount Geumgang on North Korea’s east coast.

During his two-day visit, Chung will check the status of South Korean tourism facilities there and discuss further development of the tour, including possible access by private car.

Additionally, his ministry will push plans to set up a tourist information center on the mountain, assist in service training for employees there and launch marketing overseas.

The total number of visitors surpassed one million this month since the tour's launch in November 1998.