22 Aug 2011

North Korea to seize assets at joint tourist site

9:22 pm on 22 August 2011

North Korea says it is seizing assets at a tourist site jointly operated with South Korea.

It has given South Koreans 72 hours to leave the resort at Mount Kumgang, which lies just inside North Korean territory, the BBC reports.

The announcement came via the state news agency which said North Korea is legally disposing of all South Korean assets at the resort including real estate, equipment and vehicles, considering them abandoned.

As of Monday morning, the statement said, no materials or property could be taken from the South side of the resort and all personnel should leave within 72 hours.

Both sides remain divided over how to deal with the shooting of a South Korean tourist near the resort three years ago, which led to the South suspending its activities near there.