14 July 2008

Tensions flare as South Korea tourist dies

SEOUL - Seoul has condemned the killing of a South Korean tourist by a North Korean soldier, saying it cannot be justified, and demanding access to investigate the tragedy. Ã¢â¬~¨Ã¢â¬~¨

Pyongyang has expressed regret but refused to apologise over the death of the 53-year-old woman, who was shot twice after straying into a military zone during a dawn beach stroll at a North Korean resort. Ã¢â¬~¨Ã¢â¬~¨

"Whatever the reason may be, it cannot be justified," the South Korean government said Sunday, urging the North to cooperate with an investigation after Pyongyang refused access to the scene of the shooting. Ã¢â¬~¨Ã¢â¬~¨

"It is the position of our government and people that the reason and truth should be thoroughly revealed because this is a grave issue concerning the life and safety of an innocent civilian," Seoul said in a statement. Ã¢â¬~¨Ã¢â¬~¨

"We urge North Korea to take responsible steps so that such an incident should not repeated." Ã¢â¬~¨Ã¢â¬~¨

South Korea has suspended tours to the scenic east coast resort of Mount Kumgang, opened in 1998 as a symbol of reconciliation, and the tragedy has heightened tensions between the two neighbours. Ã¢â¬~¨Ã¢â¬~¨

The North described the suspension of tours, which have earned it millions of dollars over the years, as an "intolerable insult" and said it would refuse to accept South Korean tourists until it received an apology. Ã¢â¬~¨Ã¢â¬~¨

South Korea's President Lee Myung-Bak condemned the killing, while North Korea blamed the South for the incident. Ã¢â¬~¨Ã¢â¬~¨

The North said the tourist had gone "beyond the clearly marked boundary fence" and intruded deep into the military-controlled area. Ã¢â¬~¨Ã¢â¬~¨

It said she fled when challenged and did not stop even when the soldier discharged warning shots, forcing him to open fire.