North Korea is confirmed to have turned down a South Korean firm's request to hold an event in the North to mark the 19th anniversary of the launch of South Korean tours to the scenic North Korean mountain of Geumgang.
 
North Korea's Korean Asia-Pacific Peace Committee based in Beijing is known to have conveyed the stance to Hyundai Asan over the weekend.
 
Hyundai Asan earlier obtained approval from Seoul's Unification Ministry to contact the North to discuss the hosting of the anniversary event inside North Korea later this month. The company then sought cooperation with the North Korean committee.
 
A Hyundai Asan official said it's a pity a visit to Mount Geumgang can't take place. But the official added the firm will prepare for the resumption of the tour project while waiting for progress in inter-Korean relations as government efforts are under way.
 
South Korean tours to Mount Geumgang began on November 18th, 1998 and continued for ten years. The project was suspended after a South Korean tourist was shot dead by a North Korean soldier in July 2008.

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