South Korea on Monday dismissed an “incomprehensible” list of North Korean demands for reviving suspended operations at a jointly-run industrial park. The Kaesong Industrial Complex, opened north of the border in 2004 as a rare symbol of cooperation, has been shut indefinitely with the…
South Korea pulls out all workers from industrial zone in North
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South Korea has said it will pull out its remaining workers in the Kaesong industrial zone.
It announced that the withdrawal follows the North’s rejection of a call to engage in talks to resolve the current standoff in the area.
“Because our nationals remaining in the Kaesong industrial zone are experiencing greater difficulties due to the North’s unjust actions, the government has come to the unavoidable decision to bring back all remaining personnel in order to protect their safety,” said Unification Minister Ryoo Kihl-jae.
Both sides of the peninsula had already withdrawn most of their workers from the area but around 170 South Koreans had remained behind.
Since April 3 the North has prevented South Korean workers and supplies from entering the zone, calling the move a “crafty ploy”. Food and fuel is reported to be running low there.
The Kaesong site was symbolic. Before work was suspended, it was the last remnant of cooperation between the neighbours. It opened in 2004 as part of a so-called sunshine policy of engagement and optimism between the two Koreas, still technically at war after their 1950-53 civil conflict ended in a truce – but not a treaty.
More about: Korea crisis, North Korea nuclear war threats, South Korea
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