Seoul to ask Foreign Countries not to invest in Mount Kumgang

South Korea will formally ask foreign countries this week not to invest or engage in tourism activities at North Korea''s Mount Kumgang resort, officials said Monday. Earlier, Seoul said it will use all diplomatic channels to prevent foreign companies from controlling operations at the resort, which was built and funded by South Korean companies and governmental agencies, according to South Korean (Yonhap) News Agency. The planned measures mark the first time that the South has outlined diplomatic and legal measures to prevent the North from unilaterally and unlawfully taking over the facilities built at the resort. Seoul suspended the joint tour program following the 2008 shooting death of a tourist by a North Korean soldier at the resort. It demanded Pyongyang make a formal apology for the incident and requested improved safety measures for tourists to prevent a repeat of the tragedy. The North, however, rejected such demands and recently expelled South Korean workers from the resort. It vowed to legally dispose of all assets after it unsuccessfully tried to pressure Seoul to resume the tour program, which was once seen as a key symbol of reconciliation on the divided Korean Peninsula. The official said Seoul is considering taking further action in response to any moves that may be taken by North Korea on the Mount Kumgang resort issue.