Soon Kaeseong Will Open to Tourism

Kaeseong just to the Northwest of the JSA will soon open to tourism from the South according to the Joong Ang.

Gaeseong isn’t all about factories and stainless steel pots. Behind its fledgling inter-Korean capitalism, this cityhas a rich cultural heritage, and a plan to make the most of this potential tourist attraction is in the works.
Details have yet to be firmed up, but South Korean citizens will be able to travel to Gaeseong starting early this year, according to a staffer at Hyundai Asan, which handles the inter-Korean tourism programs in the North.

The capital of the Goryeo Dynasty from 918 to 1392, Gaeseong has historical sites that include royal tombs, traditional houses and a museum, among other attractions. The tourism plan focuses on Gaeseong’s history, but Hyundai Asan plans to add a bit of modern atmosphere with a 375,000-square-yard complex including an amusement park, a golf course and a park called the Hill of Peace.
Once tour programs begin, the Korea National Tourism Organization expects Gaeseong to draw 440,000 visitors a year. This city seems poised to become the North’s number-two tourist attraction, behind Mount Geumgang.

I’m not sure how popular this tour will be because Kaeseong is no where near as beautiful as the Kumgangsan area of North Korea. Just go to the JSA and look North at the barren and deforested mountains to confirm this. So if somebody wanted to spend money to see North Korea I am sure they would pick Kumgangsan over Kaeseong. However, with it’s close proximity to Seoul, Kaeseong may be able to attract some day trippers from Seoul trying to experience the novelty of going to North Korea if the price is cheap enough to go there. For some reason golfing in Kaeseong just doesn’t appeal to me.