[The Editors' Verdict] Let's Give the Kaesong Industrial Complex a Real Chance

The Hurdles of International Relations Have Grown Higher Over the Past Decade
We Must Find a Practical Path Forward, Free from Ideological Constraints

It is difficult to deny that the Kaesong Industrial Complex was the most practical and non-ideological challenge in inter-Korean relations. Although it was sometimes criticized as a “giveaway policy” depending on the administration or political climate, it is not easy to logically refute its effectiveness. This model provided South Korean small and medium-sized enterprises with a cost-effective and stable production base, while offering North Korea tangible benefits in the form of foreign currency earnings and employment. I vividly recall how the international community was even more astonished by this model than we were. The rules and practices established during the operation of the Kaesong Industrial Complex, along with the symbolic assets and bilateral mechanisms that emerged from it, remain a shining record in our political and economic history.

Even now, many people are still puzzled when recalling then-President Park Geun-hye’s “decision” to abruptly suspend the Kaesong Industrial Complex ten years ago. While it is true that North Korea’s provocations and atrocities crossed the line, many question whether locking down the Kaesong Industrial Complex in an almost irreversible way was a different matter altogether. Even officials and working-level personnel who are relatively well-acquainted with the inner workings of the project cannot clearly answer questions such as, “What was the real background behind such an extreme measure?” or “To what extent did the government anticipate the damage this would cause to our small and medium-sized enterprises?”

That 'Decision' Still Remains a Mystery

Upon closer examination, it was never a matter that should have been handled so abruptly. Like it or not, the livelihoods of our people were at stake. The government’s official rationale at the time-that North Korea was diverting profits to develop nuclear weapons and missiles-may have sounded plausible, but it lacked consideration of the policy context and historical significance. What about the suffering and heartbreaking stories of the businesspeople who were affected? They had to withdraw overnight, leaving behind production facilities and raw materials. Business relationships collapsed, and business models built up over years were shattered in an instant. I wonder how many of those affected were truly able to recover, thanks to government “compensation” and “support.”

The issue of restarting the Kaesong Industrial Complex has gradually returned to the table, as the association of Kaesong Industrial Complex companies and the broader small and medium-sized enterprise community have called for it, with the Democratic Party and the Ministry of Unification responding. It would be desirable to quickly establish concrete action plans, such as clearly defining the scope of industries and businesses that can operate within the framework of sanctions, devising long-term strategies to go beyond these limitations, and setting out a step-by-step roadmap for resumption. The Ministry of Unification has established a Peace and Cooperation Zone Promotion Team for the normalization of the Kaesong Industrial Complex, and the Democratic Party has formed the “Korean Peninsula Peace New Strategy Committee.” Their task is simply to move these initiatives forward with urgency.

Removing Political and Ideological Controversies Is Key to Finding Solutions

What is concerning is whether the issue of restarting the Kaesong Industrial Complex will be swept up in broader debates, such as the “two-state theory” or the “autonomy faction vs. alliance faction” conflict. Ideological controversies, regardless of political orientation, act like a heavy magnet, clinging to and overshadowing truly important agendas. To secure the consent of the international community-including the United States, China, and Japan-it is essential to prevent any side from harboring suspicions and to maintain a balanced approach. The architects of the Kaesong Industrial Complex were deeply principled thinkers, but they did not recklessly inject ideology, instead finding the most effective path. The hurdles of international relations have grown significantly higher over the past decade. How can we overcome them? I hope that this question alone will be the focus of all efforts.