ID :
49713
Tue, 03/10/2009 - 04:20
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/49713
The shortlink copeid
(LEAD) South Korea 'regrets' N. Korea's cut-off of last military channel
SEOUL, March 9 (Yonhap) -- South Korea expressed 'regret' over North Korea's suspension of the last inter-Korean communications channel on Monday, urging Pyongyang to immediately withdraw the measure amid rising border tensions.
North Korea warned earlier in the day that it was immediately cutting off the
military communications channel with South Korea, the only inter-Korean
communications channel that remained open after a number of others were closed by
Pyongyang in protest against Seoul's hardline policy.
"Our government has been dealing with (North Korea's recent measures) with
patience but regrets that North Korea continues to take such measures," Seoul's
unification ministry spokesman, Kim Ho-nyoun, said.
The North said the communications channel will remain closed until a 12-day joint
exercise by South Korean and U.S. forces ends on March 20.
South Koreans are allowed to cross the border only after notification of their
trip is first sent to North Korea through the military hotline.
"We demand that North Korea immediately stop its denunciations (of South Korea)
and tension-raising behavior," the ministry spokesman said.
It is not known whether 572 South Koreans currently visiting a joint industrial
complex developed by South Korea in the North Korean border town of Kaesong will
be allowed to recross the border, he said. Starting at 3 p.m., 242 of them are
scheduled to return.
About 700 people scheduled to visit Kaesong on Monday have canceled their trips.
"The military hotline does not work now, but we are trying to contact North Korea
about whether the border trip is entirely impossible," a ministry official said,
requesting anonymity. He said that "in an extreme case" the South Korean visitors
may not be able to return.
The ministry spokesman said the Seoul government will "put priority on the safety
of our citizens."
The complex in Kaesong, several kilometers north of the inter-Korean border and
near the west coast, is a major economic project built after the first
South-North summit in 2000. It joins South Korean capital and technology with
North Korea's cheap but skilled labor.
More than 90 South Korean firms operate in Kaesong, producing kitchenware,
watches, clothes and other labor-intensive goods and employing some 38,200 North
Korean workers. Their combined output reached US$251.4 million won last year, up
36 percent from US$184.8 million won in 2007.
In a statement by its military earlier Monday, North Korea also warned it will
retaliate if anyone tries to shoot down a satellite it plans to launch, saying
interfering with the country's peaceful space activity would mean war.
Pyongyang is believed to be assembling a rocket at a missile base on its eastern
coast, presumed by neighboring states to be preparations for a long-range missile
test.
Friday's statement appeared to be an indication that North Korea may try to
launch the supposed satellite while the joint drill is under way.
North Korea also warned last week that it cannot ensure the safety of South
Korean passenger planes in its airspace. South Korean military officials suspect
the move is aimed at clearing up its airspace before its planned launch.
hkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
North Korea warned earlier in the day that it was immediately cutting off the
military communications channel with South Korea, the only inter-Korean
communications channel that remained open after a number of others were closed by
Pyongyang in protest against Seoul's hardline policy.
"Our government has been dealing with (North Korea's recent measures) with
patience but regrets that North Korea continues to take such measures," Seoul's
unification ministry spokesman, Kim Ho-nyoun, said.
The North said the communications channel will remain closed until a 12-day joint
exercise by South Korean and U.S. forces ends on March 20.
South Koreans are allowed to cross the border only after notification of their
trip is first sent to North Korea through the military hotline.
"We demand that North Korea immediately stop its denunciations (of South Korea)
and tension-raising behavior," the ministry spokesman said.
It is not known whether 572 South Koreans currently visiting a joint industrial
complex developed by South Korea in the North Korean border town of Kaesong will
be allowed to recross the border, he said. Starting at 3 p.m., 242 of them are
scheduled to return.
About 700 people scheduled to visit Kaesong on Monday have canceled their trips.
"The military hotline does not work now, but we are trying to contact North Korea
about whether the border trip is entirely impossible," a ministry official said,
requesting anonymity. He said that "in an extreme case" the South Korean visitors
may not be able to return.
The ministry spokesman said the Seoul government will "put priority on the safety
of our citizens."
The complex in Kaesong, several kilometers north of the inter-Korean border and
near the west coast, is a major economic project built after the first
South-North summit in 2000. It joins South Korean capital and technology with
North Korea's cheap but skilled labor.
More than 90 South Korean firms operate in Kaesong, producing kitchenware,
watches, clothes and other labor-intensive goods and employing some 38,200 North
Korean workers. Their combined output reached US$251.4 million won last year, up
36 percent from US$184.8 million won in 2007.
In a statement by its military earlier Monday, North Korea also warned it will
retaliate if anyone tries to shoot down a satellite it plans to launch, saying
interfering with the country's peaceful space activity would mean war.
Pyongyang is believed to be assembling a rocket at a missile base on its eastern
coast, presumed by neighboring states to be preparations for a long-range missile
test.
Friday's statement appeared to be an indication that North Korea may try to
launch the supposed satellite while the joint drill is under way.
North Korea also warned last week that it cannot ensure the safety of South
Korean passenger planes in its airspace. South Korean military officials suspect
the move is aimed at clearing up its airspace before its planned launch.
hkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
