April 27, 2024
Politics & North Korea
S. Korea delays sending firms’ request to visit Kaesong
[THE INVESTOR] South Korea on Oct. 20 put off its plan to deliver to North Korea a request by local company officials’ hope to visit a now-shuttered inter-Korean industrial complex.
The Unification Ministry had planned to call on North Korea to accept their request on the day during a media briefing.
“The announcement will be put off as consultations with other government agencies have yet to be completed,” a ministry official said.
A group of 40 officials from local firms that had operated at the factory zone just north of the border asked the Seoul government last week to permit a visit to check their factories, amid speculation that the North unilaterally resumed operation of the Kaesong Industrial Complex.
Seoul needs Pyongyang’s documents guaranteeing the safety of its nationals before it gives the green light to their visit.
In retaliation against Seoul’s closure of the complex last year, North Korea kicked out all remaining South Koreans and announced that it would freeze their assets and liquidate them.
By Alex Lee and newswires (alexlee@heraldcorp.com)
