By Park Byong-su, staff reporter
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un sent a message on Aug. 3 to Hyundai Group chairperson Hyun Jeong-eun, who was visiting Mt. Keumgang for a tenth anniversary memorial for her late husband, former Hyundai Group chairman Chung Mong-hun.
The Hyundai Group responded that the message was delivered from Kim to Hyun at Mt. Keumgang. In it, he said that Chung had “opened up a path for the Korean people’s reconciliation and cooperation and contributed greatly to the development of inter-Korean relations and the unification of the homeland.
"I express my condolences, and I wish the best to you and all of Mr. Chung’s family and to everyone at the Hyundai Group," the message reportedly continued.
The Korean Central News Agency reported on Aug. 4 that Kim’s message was delivered by Won Dong-yon, vice-chairman of North Korea’s Asia-Pacific Peace Committee.
This is the first time Kim has delivered such a message to a South Korean. It primarily expressed a personal message of condolences, it also expressed hope for improvements in inter-Korean relations, including the resumption of tourism at Mt. Keumgang.
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