North Korea asks South to discuss removal of 'capitalist' Mt Kumgang facilities

The Mount Kumgang tourist resort area is seen during North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's visit, North Korea, in this undated picture released by North Korea's Central News Agency (KCNA) on October 23, 2019. KCNA via REUTERS

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea has proposed that Seoul discuss the removal of its facilities from the North's resort of Mount Kumgang, a key symbol of cooperation that Pyongyang recently criticised as "shabby" and "capitalist," the South's officials said on Friday.

In the latest sign of the neighbours' cooling ties, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has urged that the South's "backward" and "hotchpotch" facilities at the infrequently used resort be taken down and rebuilt, the North's KCNA news agency has said.