ID :
36276
Thu, 12/18/2008 - 14:25
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/36276
The shortlink copeid
Sanctions on Kaesong to remain until Seoul shifts course: NK official
SEOUL, Dec. 18 (Yonhap) -- North Korea will continue to curtail South Korean operations at the Kaesong joint industrial complex until Seoul changes its attitude toward Pyongyang, a Seoul official quoted a senior North Korean military figure Thursday.
Lt. Gen. Kim Yong-chol, head of the policy planning office of the North's
National Defense Commission, was making a rare inspection this week of the
complex just north of the inter-Korean border amid speculation that further
sanctions could follow earlier restrictions imposed on Dec. 1.
"If there's no change of attitude by the South, current measures will not be
lifted," the military official was quoted by Unification Ministry Spokesman Kim
Ho-nyoun as telling South Korean businesses there.
The North Korean official met with about 150 representatives from South Korean
business operating in Kaesong on Wednesday and was scheduled to continue his
inspection of their plants on Thursday before returning to Pyongyang later in the
day, the spokesman said.
The visit came amid speculation that Pyongyang may further curtail operations
after evicting hundreds of South Koreans from the industrial complex and cutting
border traffic over the past weeks. The North also halted a cross-border railway
service as well as tours to a mountain resort on the North's east coast.
Pyongyang has indicated it may shut down the Kaesong complex if Seoul continues
its hard-line policy toward the North.
Seoul officials, meanwhile, are trying to ascertain whether Kim's visit could be
a prelude to further sanctions or a simple inspection. The official conducted a
similar on-site survey of Kaesong on Nov. 6, about a week before Pyongyang
announced the Dec. 1 measures.
"The visit is still ongoing, and it seems too early to make an assessment. We
should wait and see what the North does later on," the ministry spokesman said.
The North Korean official said Wednesday that the current sanctions "are not
temporary, emotional or symbolic," but made no mention of additional sanctions,
the spokesman added.
hkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
Lt. Gen. Kim Yong-chol, head of the policy planning office of the North's
National Defense Commission, was making a rare inspection this week of the
complex just north of the inter-Korean border amid speculation that further
sanctions could follow earlier restrictions imposed on Dec. 1.
"If there's no change of attitude by the South, current measures will not be
lifted," the military official was quoted by Unification Ministry Spokesman Kim
Ho-nyoun as telling South Korean businesses there.
The North Korean official met with about 150 representatives from South Korean
business operating in Kaesong on Wednesday and was scheduled to continue his
inspection of their plants on Thursday before returning to Pyongyang later in the
day, the spokesman said.
The visit came amid speculation that Pyongyang may further curtail operations
after evicting hundreds of South Koreans from the industrial complex and cutting
border traffic over the past weeks. The North also halted a cross-border railway
service as well as tours to a mountain resort on the North's east coast.
Pyongyang has indicated it may shut down the Kaesong complex if Seoul continues
its hard-line policy toward the North.
Seoul officials, meanwhile, are trying to ascertain whether Kim's visit could be
a prelude to further sanctions or a simple inspection. The official conducted a
similar on-site survey of Kaesong on Nov. 6, about a week before Pyongyang
announced the Dec. 1 measures.
"The visit is still ongoing, and it seems too early to make an assessment. We
should wait and see what the North does later on," the ministry spokesman said.
The North Korean official said Wednesday that the current sanctions "are not
temporary, emotional or symbolic," but made no mention of additional sanctions,
the spokesman added.
hkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
