Seoul, Aug 17 (DPA) North Korea Monday said it was reopening its borders for inter-Korean tourism projects with South Korea and to remove obstacles from the operation of a jointly-run business park, the South Korean Yonhap news agency reported.

In a joint press release, Hyundai and North’s Korea Asia-Pacific Peace Committee, which runs inter-Korean business affairs, announced to “restore” passage for South Korean personnel to the Kaesong industrial park.

Access to Kaesong had been minimized following rising tensions between the two Koreas over the past year.

The two sides also announced to arrange for family reunions later this year.

South Korea halted Hyundai’s tour programme last year after a Southern tourist was shot by a North Korean soldier because she allegedly strayed into a military zone.

The agreement comes one day after a meeting between North Korean leader Kim Jong Il and Hyundai chairperson Hyun Jeoin-eun.