Kim Jong-un orders razing of South's 'unpleasant' Mount Kumgang buildings

[Eugene]

Source: The Guardian

Kim Jong-un orders razing of South's 'unpleasant' Mount Kumgang buildings

North Korean ruler demands makeover of joint resort, saying South Korean facilities are like ‘temporary buildings at construction sites’

Justin McCurry and agencies
Wed 23 Oct 2019 05.00 BST
Last modified on Wed 23 Oct 2019 11.08 BST

Kim Jong-un has ordered the demolition of “unpleasant-looking” South Korean facilities at the Mount Kumgang resort – a rare symbol of inter-Korean collaboration – and called for them to be replaced with “modern” buildings constructed by the North.

The North’s ruler said it was a “mistake” for the resort, on the east coast, to be regarded as the common property of two Koreas given its location on North Korean soil, according to the state news agency KCNA.

“Mount Kumgang is our land won at the cost of blood and even a cliff and a tree on it are associated with our sovereignty and dignity,” Kim said during a visit to the resort this week, KCNA reported, adding that he thought South Korean facilities were “reminiscent of temporary buildings at construction sites”.

The news agency added: “[Kim] instructed to remove all the unpleasant-looking facilities of the south side with an agreement with the relevant unit of the south side and to build new modern service facilities our own way that go well with the natural scenery of Mount Kumgang.”

-snip-

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/23/kim-jong-un-orders-razing-of-souths-unpleasant-mount-kumgang-buildings

[soryang]

1. This is a cheap shot by Kim

He can tear them down, maybe rebuild them. Hyundai and the Unification Ministry were looking for an opportunity to renovate the neglected facilities but have been blocked by sanctions regime. They are unlikely to get hundreds of thousands of yearly tourists without South Korean participation.

One can't help but notice the pressures on the South Korea democratic administration, internal and external. So Kim joins the club dumping on Moon Jae-in. It is unlikely to have a positive impact. This along with the recent "twilight zone" soccer match in Pyongyang are intended to reflect poorly on the current democratic administration.