ID :
60888
Sat, 05/16/2009 - 19:00
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/60888
The shortlink copeid
S. Korean gov`t urged to save Kaesong complex
SEOUL, May 16 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's main opposition party said Saturday the
Lee Myung-bak administration is to blame for the crisis of the inter-Korean
industrial complex and called for it to take measures to save the facilities in
the North Korean border town.
The demand came a day after North Korea announced it was nullifying all
"preferential" wage and rent contracts with the South Korea in the Kaesong zone.
It claimed it can no longer provide South Korean firms with cheap land and labor
at a time when the conservative South Korean government is pursuing a
confrontational policy toward Pyongyang.
The North said new laws and regulations will be established with regard to the
operation of the complex, adding South Korean companies may leave the area if
they do not accept the changes.
Many agree that the Seoul-funded complex that opened in 2005 as a symbol of
reconciliation now faces its biggest crisis yet, while the government criticized
the North's "irresponsible" announcement. Critics, however, say the government's
poor North Korea policy caused the troubles.
"The Kaesong industrial complex is in peril due to the government's North Korea
policy that lacks principles and philosophy," the Democratic Party's spokesperson
Kim Yoo-jung said. "The government and the ruling party should map out measures
to maintain the complex, which is the last bastion of inter-Korean
reconciliation, instead of focusing on criticizing North Korea's step."
More than 38,000 North Koreans work at Kaesong for 101 South Korean firms,
producing items such as garments, kitchenware and watches.
The government should resume talks with the North through the implementation of
the two inter-Korean summit deals signed by its liberal predecessor, Kim added.
After a decade-long reconciliatory mood, inter-Korean relations chilled when Lee
took office early last year seeking a more reciprocal relationship with the
North. Lee said he will implement the summit deals on expanding the two Koreas'
economic cooperation in tandem with progress to denuclearize the communist
neighbor.
(END)
Lee Myung-bak administration is to blame for the crisis of the inter-Korean
industrial complex and called for it to take measures to save the facilities in
the North Korean border town.
The demand came a day after North Korea announced it was nullifying all
"preferential" wage and rent contracts with the South Korea in the Kaesong zone.
It claimed it can no longer provide South Korean firms with cheap land and labor
at a time when the conservative South Korean government is pursuing a
confrontational policy toward Pyongyang.
The North said new laws and regulations will be established with regard to the
operation of the complex, adding South Korean companies may leave the area if
they do not accept the changes.
Many agree that the Seoul-funded complex that opened in 2005 as a symbol of
reconciliation now faces its biggest crisis yet, while the government criticized
the North's "irresponsible" announcement. Critics, however, say the government's
poor North Korea policy caused the troubles.
"The Kaesong industrial complex is in peril due to the government's North Korea
policy that lacks principles and philosophy," the Democratic Party's spokesperson
Kim Yoo-jung said. "The government and the ruling party should map out measures
to maintain the complex, which is the last bastion of inter-Korean
reconciliation, instead of focusing on criticizing North Korea's step."
More than 38,000 North Koreans work at Kaesong for 101 South Korean firms,
producing items such as garments, kitchenware and watches.
The government should resume talks with the North through the implementation of
the two inter-Korean summit deals signed by its liberal predecessor, Kim added.
After a decade-long reconciliatory mood, inter-Korean relations chilled when Lee
took office early last year seeking a more reciprocal relationship with the
North. Lee said he will implement the summit deals on expanding the two Koreas'
economic cooperation in tandem with progress to denuclearize the communist
neighbor.
(END)
