Ministry of Unification: "Four Years Since Kaesong Industrial Complex Closure, Working to Create Conditions for Reopening"

"Individual Tourism to North Korea Is Not a Matter of Korea-US Cooperation," Emphasizing Solo Breakthrough

On the afternoon of December 5 last year, participants at the Kaesong Industrial Complex-Kumgangsan Tourism Resumption Citizens' Rally, hosted by the National Movement Headquarters for the Resumption of Kaesong Industrial Complex-Kumgangsan Tourism, held placards calling for inter-Korean cooperation and shouted slogans at the Korean Church Centennial Memorial Hall in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

On the 10th, marking four years since the closure of the Kaesong Industrial Complex, the Ministry of Unification announced that it will work to create conditions for the reopening of the complex.

At a regular briefing held at the Government Seoul Office on the same day, Yeosang-gi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Unification, stated, "The Kaesong Industrial Complex project is an important means for improving inter-Korean relations and establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula. The government believes that reopening is absolutely necessary," adding, "We will cooperate with the international community to create conditions for the reopening of the Kaesong Industrial Complex."

Furthermore, the Ministry of Unification expects that inter-Korean relations will be discussed at the Korea-US Working Group meeting held in Seoul on the same day, but emphasized that individual tourism to North Korea is not a matter of cooperation between South Korea and the US.

Spokesperson Ye said, "Today, the two countries are holding director-level consultations in Seoul on the occasion of Alex Wong, the US Special Representative for North Korea Policy, visiting Korea," and added, "At this meeting, both sides will discuss the North Korean nuclear issue and the overall status of inter-Korean relations."

Ye also stated, "As the government has consistently stated, individual tourism is not a matter of cooperation between South Korea and the US," and added, "I understand that the government is explaining its position to the US side for the sake of cooperation."

The government also expressed its position to actively seek ways to resolve the deadlock in North Korea-US dialogue.

Spokesperson Ye said, "The South Korean government hopes for progress in North Korea-US relations and expects that progress in North Korea-US relations will help advance the current issues on the Korean Peninsula, including the North Korean nuclear issue," adding, "We are exploring active roles for the South Korean government in this regard."

Meanwhile, the Kaesong Industrial Complex, a symbol of inter-Korean economic cooperation, marks four years of suspension on the 10th. Voices from various sectors urging the prompt reopening of the complex are growing louder. The Kaesong Industrial District Support Foundation plans to hold a "Kaesong Industrial Complex Reopening Rally" on the 11th at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry's conference room, with about 200 participants from various sectors related to inter-Korean affairs.

Under the theme "Four Years Since the Complete Suspension of the Kaesong Industrial Complex, Now Let's Open It!", the rally will be attended by Seo Ho, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Unification; Jeong Se-hyun, Senior Vice Chairman of the National Unification Advisory Council; Han Wan-sang, Chairman of the 100th Anniversary Commemoration Committee for the March 1st Movement and the Establishment of the Provisional Government; among others. Former Ministers of Unification Jeong Dong-young and Lee Jong-seok, as well as former Chairman of the Northern Economic Cooperation Committee Song Young-gil, are scheduled to deliver keynote speeches.