Seoul prepares for border restrictions

SEOUL, Nov. 30 (UPI) -- South Korean officials said they were preparing Sunday for a planned cutback in border crossings and economic contacts with their North Korean neighbors.

Pyongyang has said starting Monday, it will halve the number of South Koreans allowed to cross the border, many of whom work at a joint industrial complex in border town of Kaesong, the South Korean news agency Yonhap reported. Seoul officials said Sunday they have been told North Korea will only open a gate leading to complex six times per day, down from its current 19.

Pyongyang also intends to reduce the availability of a road to the Mount Geumgang tourist resort, which will be in operation only once a week instead of its current daily availability.

North Korea is also disallowing Seoul's cross-border cargo train service to Kaesong, Yonhap said. It was launched late last year following a summit between then-South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun and North Korean leader Kim Jong Il.

Pyongyang says it is reducing contacts as a reaction to hard-line positions taken by Roh's successor, Lee Myung-bak.