N. Korea expresses regret over Seoul's calls to delay Mt. Kumgang tour talks

   (Yonhap) -- North Korea expressed regret over calls by Seoul to delay holding the Mount Geumgang tour talks and requested it reconsider its actions, the government said Wednesday.

   The Ministry of Unification said Pyongyang notified the South of its views in an official message sent through the communication line at the neutral border village of Panmunjom.

   Seoul on Tuesday proposed holding talks on Oct. 2, a week later than its previous offer. The North wanted the talks to be held in late August or early September.

   Tours to the North's scenic mountain resort were suspended in July 2008 after a North Korean guard shot and killed a South Korean tourist. 

   North Korea had requested talks in order to resume the tour operation, and the South accepted after an agreement was reached on reopening the Gaesong Industrial Complex on Aug. 15.

The tours are a valuable source of cash for the communist regime.

   A source at the ministry said Seoul has sent a reply making clear that the October date is realistic and reflects the need for all sides to concentrate on arranging the Sept. 25-30 inter-Korean family reunions and trying to normalize the Gaesong complex.

   "We have called on the North to accept our position," said an official, who declined to be identified.

   The ministry, which handles all cross-border affairs, said the two sides were able to reach an agreement on the creation of a new joint management committee that will oversee operations at the Gaesong factory park in the North.

   "The agreement was reached by exchanging documents, with Seoul proposing the first meeting next Monday," he said.

   The new committee is expected to give the South equal say in running the complex and prevent unilateral actions by the North.

   North Korea had abruptly pulled out its workers from the complex in early April, causing its shutdown.