North Korea says that if South Korea demonstrates a proactive attitude regarding the tour program to the North's Geumgang Mountain, it can engage in talks with the South anytime.

The Chosun Sinbo, a newspaper representing a pro-North Korean organization based in Japan, said that the chief of North Korea's guidance bureau on the Mount Geumgang special tourist district made this remark during an interview with a foreign news outlet.

The official also reportedly said that procedures to legally dispose of South Korean assets at the mountain resort are complete but if South Korean companies respond to North Korea's proposal, the issue can be resolved in a positive manner.

Another official of the guidance bureau said in an interview with Chosun Sinbo that many foreigners and ethnic Koreans abroad have shown interest in investing in the Geumgang district and that multiple negotiations were under way and deals were being signed.