Ministry of Unification: "Panmunjom Tour to Proceed as Scheduled This Week"

Considering the quarantine situation, suspension may be possible from next week

Minister of Unification Lee In-young visited Panmunjom in Paju, Gyeonggi Province on the morning of September 16 and took a commemorative photo in front of the Panmunjom Military Demarcation Line.

The Ministry of Unification announced on the 10th that the Panmunjom tours will proceed as scheduled. However, starting next week, there is a possibility of suspension considering the COVID-19 quarantine situation.

An official from the Ministry of Unification told reporters on the same day, "With social distancing in the metropolitan area and local communities elevated to level 2.5, we are reviewing various measures related to Panmunjom tours to strictly comply with nationwide strengthened quarantine measures," adding, "This week, considering the 240 citizens who have already applied and are waiting, we plan to proceed with one session of 40 people as scheduled."

However, the official added, "Starting next week, we will announce a policy soon considering the quarantine situation."

On the 24th of last month, when social distancing in the metropolitan area was raised to level 2, the Ministry of Unification stated that Panmunjom tours would be maintained as is and would be suspended if the level is raised to 3. Currently, social distancing in the metropolitan area is at level 2.5.

Although it has not reached the suspension criterion of level 3, the recent severe spread of COVID-19 seems to be prompting consideration of changes to the tour operation policy.

Panmunjom tours are conducted by participants gathered from all over the country moving together along a set course, which makes quarantine measures vulnerable.

As the continuation of Panmunjom tours becomes uncertain, the application process for Panmunjom tours scheduled to start today for January next year has been temporarily put on hold.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Unification has decided to temporarily close the Odusan Unification Observatory in Paju, Gyeonggi-do, from the day before until the 18th.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.