At the press conference the organizations referred to the fact that the tour of Mt. Kumgang has been driven into a catastrophic crisis owing to the desperate obstruction of the present regime.

They noted that the tour of Mt. Kumgang, a symbol of inter-Korean reconciliation and cooperation, had lasted in keeping with the desire of the nation though there were some difficult and complicated problems.

Nevertheless, the "Ministry of Unification" and other present ruling forces have been engaged in depreciating the achievements made in the past economic cooperation work under the unreasonable pretexts, they charged.

The "Ministry of Unification" is still calling in question the guarantee for personal safety, repeatedly assured by the DPRK, they noted, contending that such behavior is nothing but an intention to completely suspend tourism.

Warning that the authorities will be bound to face punishment by history if they persist in the hostile policy toward the DPRK and hinder the south-north cooperation, the organizations urged them to immediately opt for resumption of the tour of Mt. Kumgang.