ID :
53761
Sat, 04/04/2009 - 08:35
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/53761
The shortlink copeid
N. Korea rejects Hyundai's request to meet detained S. Korean worker
SEOUL, April 3 (Yonhap) -- North Korea on Friday rejected Hyundai Asan Corp.'s request for access to its employee detained in the communist country, the firm's chief said, a possible indication that it will hold him in custody until after a rocket launch.
The Seoul government called on civic aid groups to refrain from visiting North
Korea, which has said it will launch a communications satellite between Saturday
and Wednesday.
Cho Kun-shik, president of Hyundai Asan Corp. that operates a joint industrial
complex in North Korea's border town of Kaesong, returned from his day trip to
the complex after his request to meet with the detained employee was turned
down.
The Hyundai worker, a man in his 40s, was taken into custody at the industrial
complex on Monday for allegedly criticizing the North's political system and
trying to tempt a female North Korean employee to defect. North Korea has
rejected Seoul's repeated calls to grant access to him.
"The North side said meetings with people from the outside are not allowed
because the investigation is ongoing," Cho told reporters after returning from
Kaesong.
Amid heightened tensions, Seoul's Unification Ministry called on non-governmental
aid organizations to refrain from visiting North Korea during the launch period.
"Our government will take all measures necessary to ensure the safety of our
citizens before and after North Korea's rocket launch," Lee Jong-joo, the
ministry spokeswoman, told reporters.
North Korea was also withholding approval for most South Korean visits between
Saturday and Wednesday, and for those few who have received approval, Seoul has
yet to decide whether to permit their trips, Lee said.
Several South Korean workers and tourists have been detained and investigated in
past years for violating North Korean law, but the latest case raises concern
because of the imminent rocket launch, which neighboring countries suspect may be
a long-range missile test.
Seoul officials could not give details of the worker's alleged violation,
although some sources said the breach was more personal than political.
According to an inter-Korean accord governing joint economic ventures, North
Korea can only investigate and fine or expel South Koreans violating its law. It
cannot try them in its territory, but concerns have been raised that North Korea
may ignore the accord and put him to trial.
The North is also preparing to indict two U.S. journalists being held on charges
of illegal entry and unspecified "hostile acts."
Analysts in Seoul say the release of the U.S. reporters and the South Korean is
not likely to occur before the launch.
In Kaesong, just an hour's drive from Seoul, 101 small garment and other
labor-intensive South Korean firms are currently operating at the South
Korea-funded industrial complex, which employs about 39,000 North Koreans.
hkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
The Seoul government called on civic aid groups to refrain from visiting North
Korea, which has said it will launch a communications satellite between Saturday
and Wednesday.
Cho Kun-shik, president of Hyundai Asan Corp. that operates a joint industrial
complex in North Korea's border town of Kaesong, returned from his day trip to
the complex after his request to meet with the detained employee was turned
down.
The Hyundai worker, a man in his 40s, was taken into custody at the industrial
complex on Monday for allegedly criticizing the North's political system and
trying to tempt a female North Korean employee to defect. North Korea has
rejected Seoul's repeated calls to grant access to him.
"The North side said meetings with people from the outside are not allowed
because the investigation is ongoing," Cho told reporters after returning from
Kaesong.
Amid heightened tensions, Seoul's Unification Ministry called on non-governmental
aid organizations to refrain from visiting North Korea during the launch period.
"Our government will take all measures necessary to ensure the safety of our
citizens before and after North Korea's rocket launch," Lee Jong-joo, the
ministry spokeswoman, told reporters.
North Korea was also withholding approval for most South Korean visits between
Saturday and Wednesday, and for those few who have received approval, Seoul has
yet to decide whether to permit their trips, Lee said.
Several South Korean workers and tourists have been detained and investigated in
past years for violating North Korean law, but the latest case raises concern
because of the imminent rocket launch, which neighboring countries suspect may be
a long-range missile test.
Seoul officials could not give details of the worker's alleged violation,
although some sources said the breach was more personal than political.
According to an inter-Korean accord governing joint economic ventures, North
Korea can only investigate and fine or expel South Koreans violating its law. It
cannot try them in its territory, but concerns have been raised that North Korea
may ignore the accord and put him to trial.
The North is also preparing to indict two U.S. journalists being held on charges
of illegal entry and unspecified "hostile acts."
Analysts in Seoul say the release of the U.S. reporters and the South Korean is
not likely to occur before the launch.
In Kaesong, just an hour's drive from Seoul, 101 small garment and other
labor-intensive South Korean firms are currently operating at the South
Korea-funded industrial complex, which employs about 39,000 North Koreans.
hkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
