North Korean authorities on Sunday proposed new talks with South Korea to reopen the once lucrative Mt. Kumgang tourist resort.

A statement made by the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea suggested that talks with South Korea to reopen the resort could take place as early as August 22.

But South Korea responded cautiously to the proposals, with Unification ministry spokesman Kim Hyung-suk telling a press briefing that Seoul intends to “determine the stance later after factoring in a variety of circumstances comprehensively”.

An unnamed Unification ministry official on Monday also told Yonhap News that the South Korean government wants