The former head of the ruling Grand National Party (GNP), Chung Mong-joon, says Seoul should consider evacuating South Koreans from the Gaeseong Industrial Complex and Mount Geumgang resort in North Korea.

Chung made the recommendation on his Web site Wednesday in response to North Korea’s firing of artillery rounds at South Korea’s Yeonpyeong Island.

Chung expressed his outrage over North Korea’s attack on South Korea, saying that the South must demonstrate through concrete actions its firm resolve.

He added, however, that such an action is impossible while South Koreans remain at inter-Korean collaborative project sites at North Korea’s Gaeseong and Geumgang.

Chung said that although South Korea must make efforts to avoid war, it must at the same time demonstrate courage.