North Korea on Saturday criticized Unification Minister Hyun In-taek for hindering efforts to improve inter-Korean relations.

The official Rodong Shinmun in an editorial criticized Hyun and his ministry for "viciously opposing inter-Korean dialogue and cooperation under the excuse of the nuclear issue and continuously blocking the resumption of group tours to Mt. Kumgang, citing the absurd three conditions." On the same day the state-run website Uriminzokkiri said, "Progress in inter-Korean ties is unthinkable so long as confrontational groups such as Hyun In-taek and the Unification Ministry exist."

The South Korean government has said that it cannot resume the North Korean tours unless the North agrees on a joint investigation of the shooting death of a South Korean tourist by a North Korean guard last year; promises to prevent similar incidents; and guarantees the safety of tourists.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il (second left) inspects the July 18 stock farm affiliated with People's Army Unit 580 in this undated photo released by the (North) Korean Central News Agency on Friday. /Reuters-Yonhap

Pyongyang demanded inter-Korean talks about the resumption of package tours to Mt. Kumgang and Kaesong through Hyundai Group chairwoman Hyun Jeong-eun, who visited the Mt. Kumgang resort last Wednesday. In making the proposal, the North expressed willingness to discuss a joint investigation of the shooting death and guaranteeing the safety of tourists.

The Unification Ministry is annoyed. "No formal proposal has been received on the matter," a ministry official said. "We can't consider a proposal that isn't made through the official channel at Panmunjom but through a private business."

This is not the fist time that Pyongyang has sent a message through a private channel bypassing the Unification Ministry. In mid-August when the Hyundai chairwoman visited the North to meet with its leader Kim Jong-il, the North agreed to resume package tours and reunions of separated families and to normalize business at the joint Kaesong Industrial Complex.

The ministry at the time said the government is not bound by accords reached by a private individual, but South Korea did act on parts of the agreement.

"The North wants to put indirect pressure on the government by mobilizing public opinion in the South," said Cho Young-ki of Korea University. But the tactic could backfire. A security official said, "Unification Minister Hyun In-taek has been looking at the option of inter-Korean working-level talks to discuss the resumption of package tours to Mt. Kumgang and Kaesong and other issues, but he may put them off because he doesn't want to be seen bowing to pressure from the North."