North Korea has started dismantling a facility at its Mount Kumgang resort, which was used for reunions of families separated by the Korean War, South Korea reported on Thursday (Feb 13). The move is seen as another step in Pyongyang’s increasingly hostile stance toward its southern neighbor.

South Korea's Unification Ministry, responsible for inter-Korean affairs, condemned the demolition, calling it an "anti-humanitarian act" that disregards the wishes of separated families. The ministry urged North Korea to stop the destruction immediately and stated that it would consider legal measures and seek a coordinated response with the international community.

Relations between the two Koreas have deteriorated significantly in recent years. North Korea has labeled South Korea a "hostile state" and has taken aggressive actions, including blowing up sections of inter-Korean roads and railways on its side of the border last year. In response, South Korea’s military fired warning shots at the time.

Tensions escalated further in 2023 when Pyongyang abandoned a 2018 military agreement designed to prevent unintended clashes between the two nations. South Korea later took similar steps, deepening the divide.

Despite these rising hostilities, there are indications that North Korea may be preparing to reopen to foreign visitors for the first time in over five years. The country closed its borders to tourism in early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On Thursday, Beijing-based Koryo Tours announced that trips to North Korea were "officially back." Some of its staff members were granted access to the Rason area, raising hopes that the country may soon relaunch its tourism industry.

While tensions between the two Koreas remain high, the potential reopening of North Korea’s tourism sector could mark a rare point of engagement with the outside world. However, the dismantling of the reunion facility signals continued unwillingness to improve inter-Korean relations.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from KCNA via Reuters file