North Korea's Supreme People's Assembly has voted to scrap all agreements with South Korea on promoting economic cooperation, the North's official KCNA news agency reported on Thursday, as the two Koreas' ties continue to deteriorate.
The assembly, which takes formal steps to adopt policy decisions of the ruling Workers' Party, also voted to abolish laws governing economic ties with Seoul, including the special law on the operation of the Mount Kumgang tourism project.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends the 10th Session of the 14th Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, at the Mansudae Assembly Hall, in Pyongyang, North Korea, January 15, 2024. Photo: Reuters
The tours to the scenic mountain just north of the eastern border were a symbol of economic cooperation that began during a period of engagement between the two Koreas in early 2000s, drawing nearly 2 million South Korean visitors.
The project was suspended in 2008 after a South Korean tourist who strayed into a restricted zone was shot and killed by North Korean guards.
Hyundai Asan, an affiliate of the Hyundai Group conglomerate which invested more than 750 billion won ($564 million) in developing the Kumgang project, declined to comment on the report.
South Korea's Unification Ministry, which handles ties with Pyongyang, said the North's action was not surprising and would only deepen its isolation. Seoul does not recognise the unilateral move, an official added.
In January, South Korea closed a state-run foundation that supported the development and operation of the Kaesong industrial zone, which at the time was considered a sign that Seoul viewed the project was unlikely to be revived.
North Korea has said it considers the South as an enemy at war and last year scrapped a military pact signed in 2018 aimed at de-escalating tensions near the military border drawn up under a truce ending the 1950-53 Korean War.
KCNA separately reported that Kim on Wednesday toured factories producing consumer goods and food, and gave guidance on modernizing the facilities as part of implementing a new regional development policy.
