The North Korean Prime Minister visited Mount Kumgang and emphasized the need to build the region in a North Korean way
[Global Times reporter Mang Jiuchen Li Jing] According to a report by the Korean Central News Agency on the 20th, Kim Deok-hoon, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Workers’ Party of Korea and Prime Minister of the Cabinet, recently inspected the development of Mount Kumgang tourist area and emphasized the need to build this area in North Korea’s way .
Yonhap News Agency commented that while working to prevent the new crown pneumonia epidemic, North Korea’s move is to prepare for the implementation of the "Five-Year Plan for National Economic Development" that will be proposed at the Eighth National Congress of the Workers' Party.
The Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim Dexun inspected the Gaocheng Port Coastal Tourist Area, Haegeumgang Coastal Park Area and Sports and Cultural Area.
He stated that it is necessary to build the tourist area into a tourist area that contrasts with the natural scenery of Mt. Geumgang in a North Korean way, and blends ethnic characteristics and modernity.
Jin Dexun also presided over a meeting in the local area to discuss the general development plan of the tourist area and the order of project promotion, as well as how to reflect architectural ideas and construction guidelines in the design and construction of hotels and golf courses.
Yonhap News Agency commented on the 20th that North Korea has raised its epidemic prevention response level to the highest level of "Super Special" and launched "80-day battle."
Against this background, Kim Deok-hoon's trip to Mount Kumgang attracted attention.
Some analysts believe that North Korea may intend to formally promote the development of the Mount Kumgang tourist area in preparation for the implementation of the "Five-Year Plan for National Economic Development" to be proposed at the Eighth National Congress of the Workers' Party.
North Korea’s "Rongdong Sinmun" issued an article on the 20th, saying that the 8th National Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea is about to be held. The cadres who are fighting at the end of the year should assume greater responsibilities and play a greater role with the highest consciousness.
The article stated that everyone must maintain a deep understanding of epidemic prevention and abide by steel-like epidemic prevention disciplines to ensure the victory of the Eighth National Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea.
According to South Korean media, there have been opinions that for the purpose of epidemic prevention, North Korea will postpone the eighth session of the Workers’ Party originally scheduled to be held in January next year. However, based on the current situation, North Korea is likely to hold the eighth session of the Workers’ Party as scheduled in January next year. The National Congress and the Fourth Session of the Fourteenth Supreme People’s Assembly.
According to the Russian Satellite News Agency, the Kumgang Mountain Tourism Project was officially launched in 1998 and has been suspended since 2008. In October 2019, North Korea’s supreme leader Kim Jong Un ordered the demolition of all “unpleasant” South Korean buildings in the tourist area. North Korea stated that it should not rely on Seoul to develop itself, and emphasized that it will turn Mount Kumgang into an international tourist area. South Korea tried to negotiate with North Korea on this issue, but failed. At the end of January this year, due to the epidemic, the dismantling of facilities was suspended. According to Yonhap News Agency’s report on the 20th, the Ministry of Unification of South Korea said on the same day that South Korea and the DPRK had reached a consensus on solving the unresolved issues in the Mount Kumgang area and developing it into an international tourist attraction, hoping to choose the right time to consult with the DPRK on this subject to the epidemic situation.