North Korea Demolishes Mount Kumgang Family Reunion Center, South Korea Expresses Strong Regret

On Thursday, South Korea’s Ministry of Unification announced that North Korea has begun demolishing the Inter-Korean Family Reunion Center, the last South Korean government facility remaining in the Mount Kumgang tourist zone.

In an official statement, Koo Byung Sam, spokesperson for the Ministry of Unification, said, “The government has confirmed that North Korea is demolishing the Mount Kumgang Family Reunion Center, which embodies the long-cherished hope for regular reunions of separated families.”

Koo continued, “The South Korean government expresses strong regret over North Korea’s unilateral demolition of the Mount Kumgang Family Reunion Center, which was established through inter-Korean agreements, and urges an immediate halt to this action.”

He further emphasized, “The demolition of the Mount Kumgang Family Reunion Center is an inhumane act that tramples on the aspirations of separated families and constitutes a serious violation of South Korea’s state-owned property. North Korea’s unilateral demolition cannot be justified under any circumstances, and full responsibility for this situation lies entirely with the North Korean authorities.”

The South Korean government also stated that it would review legal measures and cooperate with the international community to respond to the issue accordingly.