N. Korea Demolishes South Korean-Built Clubhouse at Mount Kumgang Resort.

Seoul: North Korea has been demolishing a golf course clubhouse constructed by a South Korean company at the Mount Kumgang resort, leaving only a few facilities intact in the area, as reported by South Korea's unification ministry. The ministry's spokesperson, Koo Byoung-sam, stated during a press briefing that most facilities at the Mount Kumgang tourist region have been dismantled or are undergoing demolition, including the clubhouse of the Ananti Golf Resort. Only a few structures, such as a meeting place for separated families, are believed to remain standing.According to Yonhap News Agency, this demolition marks the latest in a series of actions by North Korea at the Mount Kumgang tourist area, which was established in 2002 to welcome South Korean tourists to the scenic mountain on North Korea's east coast. This location was once considered a symbol of inter-Korean reconciliation. Since North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's 2019 directive to remove all "unpleasant-looking" facilities constructed by the Sou th, North Korea has been systematically dismantling structures in the area. This directive followed Kim's summit with then U.S. President Donald Trump in Hanoi, which concluded without a concrete outcome.In May, North Korea dismantled a fire station in the resort area, which had been built using funds from the South Korean government. The South Korean government has expressed its determination to hold North Korea accountable for actions that violate the property rights of its government and companies, as stated by the ministry spokesperson.Additionally, Koo addressed Russia's recent invitation to North Korean forces to participate in its military parade marking the 80th Victory Day in May next year. He noted that North Korean military forces have never participated in Russia's previous Victory Day celebrations. According to Russia's defense ministry, Defense Minister Andrei Belousov extended the invitation to North Korean military forces for the 80th anniversary military parade scheduled for May 9, 2025, in Red Square, Moscow, during his meeting with Kim Jong-un last week.North Korea's only prior participation in such an event occurred in 2015, when Kim Yong-nam attended the 70th anniversary military parade as the president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, as noted by the unification ministry.