North Korea has expressed regret over South Korea’s suggestion to delay holding talks on the resumption of tours to Mount Geumgang.
 
A Unification Ministry official said Wednesday the North sent a telephone message through the border village of Panmunjeom notifying Seoul of its displeasure over the proposal to meet on October second.
 
Pyongyang urged Seoul in the message to reconsider the date, which is much later than North Korea’s suggestion for a meeting in late August or early September.
 
The official said the ministry asked Pyongyang to accept the October date, saying Seoul carefully thought through the details for the proposed meeting.
 
Earlier this month, the North’s Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland first proposed to hold the talks on August 22. Seoul countered with September 25, but the North pressed for a late August or early September date.