South Korean workers began shutting down operations at an industrial complex run jointly with North Korea, a sign of Seoul’s anger over the North’s recent tests of its nuclear and ballistic missile weapons programs.
A long convoy of trucks made the 10-kilometer journey across the border to Kaesong early Thursday morning to retrieve equipment and personnel.
South Korea’s Unification Ministry announced Wednesday it is suspending all activities at the Kaesong complex to prevent Pyongyang from using the proceeds from the industrial park to fund the development of its nuclear and missile programs.
North Korea has not officially responded to Seoul’s decision to shutter the complex.
“Our military is completely prepared to cope with any possible situations in Kaesong Industrial Complex at this time, putting a priority on people’s lives and safety,” said South Korean Defense Ministry spokesman Moon Sang Gyun.
The park first opened in 2004 as part of the “sunshine” reconciliation policy reached between the authoritarian North and democratic South in the late 1990s, and is the last remaining symbol of cross-border cooperation.
About 124 South Korean companies operate factories in Kaesong, employing more than 53,000 North Korean workers at an annual cost of $100 million, providing a source of badly needed hard currency for the impoverished North.
The park was shut down once before, in 2013, when Pyongyang withdrew all of its workers and closed the complex for five months during a period of heightened cross-border tensions.
Rocket launch
North Korea launched a long-range rocket Sunday and placed what it described as an “Earth observation satellite” into orbit. The launch was condemned by the international community as a violation of United Nations sanctions against Pyongyang for previous tests of long-range ballistic missiles.
Sunday’s launch came a month after the North carried out its fourth nuclear test.
“As businessmen in Kaesong would have invested a lot, I hope that the government cares and fights on their behalf so they won’t sustain too many losses,” said Seoul resident Lim Ok-sook. “Also, when we watch the news South Korea always considers [North Korea] and they do whatever they want anyway. So I hope that this will be an opportunity for South Korea to show [North Korea] a strong will.”
“North Korea has caused many problems, but the South Korean government tried to maintain [its policy] silently, said Chris Oh, another Seoul resident. “I personally agree with this action [to halt the operation of joint industrial park]. It should be a chance for North Korea to realize [its wrongdoings].”
Kim Soo-hee, South Korean Nurse, said the move surprised her.
“We jokingly said Kaesong might be shut down, but I was surprised to see it really happening,” she said. “In my personal opinion, I feel sorry for the North Koreans because they are way more worried than we are.”
…
