South Korea is stressing that the issues of family reunions and the resumption of tours to North Korea’s Mount Geumgang are two separate matters.

Unification Ministry spokesman Chun Hae-sung told reporters in Seoul on Monday that the North has said during two rounds of Red Cross working-level talks between the two Koreas that the resumption of the tours to the mountain resort is a precondition to the holding of reunions of separated families.

Asked if the North’s demand could jeopardize the reunions, Chun only said that South Korea would work to reach agreements for the reunions during a third round of working-level talks with the North that is set to open on Friday.