A group of South Korean forestry experts have crossed the border into North Korea to inspect pine trees on Mount Kumgang.
 
Eight people, including researchers from the Korea Forest Research Institute and the Korea Tree Health Association as well as Hyundai Asan officials, left the inter-Korean transit office in Gangwon Province around 9:40 a.m. on Wednesday.
 
During their three-day visit to the North, the experts will inspect pine trees for diseases and pests.
 
The North requested the visit through Hyundai Asan on July 15, saying the pine trees on Mount Kumgang had shown abnormal behavior including yellowing.
 
Hyundai Asan manages the inter-Korean tourist program on Mount Kumgang, which has been stalled since 2008 after a North Korean soldier shot and killed a South Korean tourist.