News

A tourism project which has been set up at Mount Kumgang in North Korea is suffering as a result of the country's recent nuclear test.

The scheme was established in order to promote economic cooperation between North and South Korea, but it may now be abandoned, reports the Daily Yomiuri.

Officials from inside South Korea and a number from outside the country have called for the project to come to an end over fears that the money generated may be used to fund the North's nuclear ambitions.

The mountain resort has seen visitor numbers fall since the test which was carried out on 9 October and South Korean visitors that do attend are told by their guides that they must not talk about political issues during their stay.

Employees are suffering as a result of the decreasing tourist numbers with one man who works at a fish restaurant telling the newspaper: "There are only 150 tourists visiting today for a three-day and two-night trip, though there used to be 150 visitors just to this restaurant.'

'I'm in trouble as I now receive less money,' he added.

Despite the financial problems facing those working in the resort, the employees remain committed to leader Kim Jong Il.

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