one "in compensation for the damage the North side suffered due to
the suspension of the tour for a long period". In seizing the properties,
North Korea also alluded to the Baengnyeong incident, showing displeasure
with South Korea blaming North Korea for the sinking of the ship. Since
April 2010, North Korea is now permitting companies to run tours from the North
Korean side, making it appear increasingly unlikely that tours will be
resumed from the South. However, on October 1, 2010, news reports said,
"Red Cross officials from the two Koreas agreed Friday to hold reunions
for families separated by the Korean War amid mixed signals from North Korea on
easing tensions over the sinking of a South Korean warship. One hundred
families from each country will attend the meetings from Oct. 30 to Nov. 5 at a
hotel and reunion center at the North's scenic Diamond Mountain resort,
Unification Ministry spokeswoman Lee Jong-joo said." . As of
September 2011 North Korea have begun operating cruises directly from Rason in
north-eastern North Korea, to the port in Mount Kumgang, offering visitors the
chance to stay in the resorts previously run by the south. Although they are
aimed primarily at Chinese guests, western companies are also offering the
tours
