Seoul is moving to pursue inter-Korean projects -- such as allowing individual South Korean tourists to travel to North Korea -- and seeking ways to work around international sanctions on Pyongyang.



Key officials in Seoul have reaffirmed a renewed push for engagement with the North, after President Moon Jae-in said stronger inter-Korean cooperation could break the nuclear impasse between North Korea and the US and pave the way for international sanctions to be lifted.



Lee Do-hoon, special representative for Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs, said the government would discuss the issue with the US.



“I am planning to talk with Biegun about (individual tours),” Lee told reporters upon arrival at Dulles International Airport in Washington on Wednesday (US time), referring to US Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun. Lee will be in Washington through Saturday.







North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (left) inspects the Kumgangsan resort in this photo provided by the North’s Korean Central News Agency on Oct. 23. Kim ordered the removal of all South Korea-built facilities at the once jointly run tourist spot, according to the KCNA. (Yonhap)





“(Individual tours) are not banned under the UN Security Council Sanctions. The reason why we are discussing (this matter) with (the US) is that we are trying to find space while we respect the sanctions framework agreed by the international community.”



Speaking at a New Year’s press conference Tuesday, Moon said he hoped to pursue inter-Korean projects that are not prohibited under the UN-led sanctions, such as border cooperation, sports exchanges and individual tourism, namely tours to Kumgangsan in the North.



In 2017, the UN imposed strict sanctions on North Korea over its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs. Under the measures, member countries cannot import coal, iron ore, textiles, seafood, machinery or other key items from North Korea. However, tourism is allowed.







One of the peaks in Kumgangsan, North Korea (Yonhap)



A limited number of travelers from other countries visit North Korea every year, but Seoul halted tourism to the scenic Kumgangsan in 2008 after a South Korean tourist was shot dead there.



Following Moon’s remarks, the Unification Ministry said the government was reviewing “various ways” to allow South Koreans to visit North Korea individually, as long as their safety can be guaranteed.



The ministry is also making a list of joint projects that Seoul and Pyongyang could possibly pursue independently regardless of sanctions, though it did not reveal details about any of those projects.



“How the North will respond is the most critical thing, so we will keep a close eye on the North’s attitude and the situation and come up with a realistic solution,” a ministry official said on condition of anonymity.



Asked whether the government was planning to undertake any specific inter-Korean project that would require a sanctions exemption from the UN, the official said it was “too early on.” .

