ID :
75255
Fri, 08/14/2009 - 14:41
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/75255
The shortlink copeid
Families, citizens relieved by S. Korean worker's release from N. Korea
SEOUL, Aug. 13 (Yonhap) -- South Korean citizens welcomed the dramatic release of
Hyundai Asan worker Yu Seong-jin Thursday after nearly 140 days of detention in
North Korea, expressing hope that the release would pave the way for inter-Korean
reconciliation.
Yu's family and coworkers were relieved by the news of Yu's release, but his
elderly parents, who live in a rural area, expressed lingering anxieties, as
their son had not yet been returned to the inter-Korean border.
"I want to see my son as soon as possible," Yu's 75-year-old father said.
Yu, an engineer with Hyundai Asan Corp., a North Korean business arm of Hyundai
Group, had been detained since March 30 on accusations of criticizing the North's
political system. He was handed over to his firm's officials at a joint park in
the North's border town of Kaesong earlier Thursday.
Yu's home in Goseong, South Gyeongsang Province, 466km south of Seoul, was
crowded with visitors who congratulated Yu's parents. "I appreciate all people
who have made effort to release him so far," Yu's father added.
Hyundai Asan did not inform Yu's parents of his detention long after it occurred,
worrying it would shock them and harm their frail health.
Meanwhile, officials at the headquarters of Hyundai Asan in Seoul breathed a sigh
of relief upon the release a few days after its chairwoman, Hyun Jung-eun,
arrived in Pyongyang.
Hyun went to the North on Tuesday to discuss the immediate release of Yu and
resume the suspended projects that her company has run for years in North Korea.
Hyundai had operated a few tour programs to Mt. Kumgang and the city of Kaesong,
but they were suspended due to the strained inter-Korean relationship.
The company is expecting its chairwoman's trip will result in reopening of the
tour in addition to Yu's release.
"It's very fortunate for him," an employee at the company said. "I hope that the
release paves the way for inter-Korean business."
An association of companies in the Kaesong industrial complex, which represents
South Korean businesses investing in Kaesong, also welcomed the release.
"We request that all South Korean workers in the complex comply with rules, and
the South Korean government comes up with measures to prevent similar cases," the
Kaesong Industrial Council said in a statement. "We hope this incident will serve
as an occasion to thaw the frozen inter-Korean relations and energize the Kaesong
industrial park."
The joint park combining South Korean capital and technology with North Korean
labor was developed by Hyundai Asan and opened in late 2004. The venture now
hosts more than 100 small South Korean firms employing about 40,000 North
Koreans, producing clothing, kitchenware, electronic equipment and other
labor-intensive goods.
brk@yna.co.kr
(END)
Hyundai Asan worker Yu Seong-jin Thursday after nearly 140 days of detention in
North Korea, expressing hope that the release would pave the way for inter-Korean
reconciliation.
Yu's family and coworkers were relieved by the news of Yu's release, but his
elderly parents, who live in a rural area, expressed lingering anxieties, as
their son had not yet been returned to the inter-Korean border.
"I want to see my son as soon as possible," Yu's 75-year-old father said.
Yu, an engineer with Hyundai Asan Corp., a North Korean business arm of Hyundai
Group, had been detained since March 30 on accusations of criticizing the North's
political system. He was handed over to his firm's officials at a joint park in
the North's border town of Kaesong earlier Thursday.
Yu's home in Goseong, South Gyeongsang Province, 466km south of Seoul, was
crowded with visitors who congratulated Yu's parents. "I appreciate all people
who have made effort to release him so far," Yu's father added.
Hyundai Asan did not inform Yu's parents of his detention long after it occurred,
worrying it would shock them and harm their frail health.
Meanwhile, officials at the headquarters of Hyundai Asan in Seoul breathed a sigh
of relief upon the release a few days after its chairwoman, Hyun Jung-eun,
arrived in Pyongyang.
Hyun went to the North on Tuesday to discuss the immediate release of Yu and
resume the suspended projects that her company has run for years in North Korea.
Hyundai had operated a few tour programs to Mt. Kumgang and the city of Kaesong,
but they were suspended due to the strained inter-Korean relationship.
The company is expecting its chairwoman's trip will result in reopening of the
tour in addition to Yu's release.
"It's very fortunate for him," an employee at the company said. "I hope that the
release paves the way for inter-Korean business."
An association of companies in the Kaesong industrial complex, which represents
South Korean businesses investing in Kaesong, also welcomed the release.
"We request that all South Korean workers in the complex comply with rules, and
the South Korean government comes up with measures to prevent similar cases," the
Kaesong Industrial Council said in a statement. "We hope this incident will serve
as an occasion to thaw the frozen inter-Korean relations and energize the Kaesong
industrial park."
The joint park combining South Korean capital and technology with North Korean
labor was developed by Hyundai Asan and opened in late 2004. The venture now
hosts more than 100 small South Korean firms employing about 40,000 North
Koreans, producing clothing, kitchenware, electronic equipment and other
labor-intensive goods.
brk@yna.co.kr
(END)
