South Korea has used four-point-three billion won from the South-North Cooperation Fund to assist South Korean subcontractors operating at the Mount Geumgang resort in North Korea.

A Unification Ministry official in Seoul said Wednesday that out of some five billion won in funds earmarked to help South Korean subcontractors at Geumgang, it had provided four-point-three billion won to eleven such firms in the form of loans following the prolonged suspension of tours to the scenic mountain resort.

Five additional firms are in the process of receiving funds from the government in the form of loans. Currently, there are 24 South Korean subcontractors taking part in projects at the resort.