Unification Minister Lee Jong-seok on Wednesday stressed the importance of the controversial inter-Korean tourism project at North Korea's Mount Geumgang resort.

During a two-day visit to the resort, Lee said the tourism program must continue and be developed further.

He said that although the program is facing difficulties in the wake of Pyongyang’s nuclear test, South Korea must never relent in trying to ease tensions on the peninsula.

South Korean companies involved in the tours asked the minister to resume Seoul’s financial support for the program, help build infrastructure and guarantee assets invested in the mountain resort.

Lee told reporters that he wanted to show with action his strong commitment to the continuation of the tourism project.