North Korea is known to have invited in late June the former vice chief of Hyundai Asan Kim Yoon-kyu to visit North Korea.

The invitation was extended by the North Korean People's Army general staff, which has been taking part in running the Mount Geumgang resort.

Kim said he would do what is possible to help resume South Korean tours to the North Korean resort, if the South Korean government allows him to visit the North.

However, the South Korean government is cautious about the North’s overture. The Seoul government suspects the North’s latest move may be a ploy to use a private citizen to resume the Mount Geumgang tours without satisfying preconditions put forth by South Korea.