In the recent weeks of deteriorated relations
between, North Korea and South Korea, South Korea proposed formal talks on
Kaesong Industrial Complex, urging the North to take advantage of the offer
before noon on Friday. But, Pyongyang has ignored their neighbors on talks that
would see operations restart at the joint industrial zone.
Initially, Seoul had warned Pyongyang of ‘grave
measures’ if they declined the offer which was due to expire in 24 hours from
Thursday. More than 120 South Korean companies operated at Kaesong before
Pyongyang suspended operations on April 9.
Apparently, the workers were ordered to stop
coming to work because the government was upset by the ‘military’ contingency
plan set up by Seoul to protect its staff at the site
Kaesong was a product of a symbolic
co-operation between the Koreans. The North’s sudden decision to suspend its
operations was unexpected. The average salary of North Korean workers is $127 a
month, which is less than one-sixteenth of the average salary of South Korean
manufacturer workers, according to South Korea’s government.
With the borders closed by North Korea, the
food and medical supplies of the South Koreans staying behind to protect their
investment, is dwindling.
South Korean President Park Geun-Hye told South
Korean journalists, ‘how the Kaesong issue is handled will be a touchstone for
whether South-North relations will be predictable and sustainable. I want the
issue to be resolved quickly, but I would say there should not be a solution
like funneling aid, as has happened in the past.’
A spokesman for the South Korean companies, Ok
Sung-Seok, said that his government has decided to protect the industrial
complex no matter what difficulties they may face.
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