The South Korean authorities allowed the population free contacts with the DPRK

The Ministry of Unification of South Korea has lifted a decree that restricted contacts between the country's population and citizens of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Yonhap news agency reported on July 31.

The head of the department, Chong Dong Yong, said that the document regulating notifications of contacts with DPRK citizens had been signed the day before.

"Now contacts at the private level are fully allowed. Free contacts between ordinary citizens will allow for a better understanding of each other, which can contribute to peaceful coexistence," the agency quoted him as saying.

Previously, according to the ministry's instructions, South Koreans had to notify the agency in advance about their contacts with residents of the DPRK. Thus, they needed to obtain official permission for this. At the same time, the authorities could refuse, as in some cases they suspected that the interlocutor could work for the DPRK special services.

The Korean Wave: how North Korean citizens live outside Pyongyang

Izvestia visited the resort capital of the most closed country in the world

The representative of the Ministry of Unification of South Korea, Koo Byung Sam, said on July 28 that South Korea would continue to strive to reduce tensions in relations with the DPRK. At the same time, Kim Yo Jong, deputy director of the department of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of the DPRK, said on the same day that the country was not interested in reconciliation with South Korea.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.