North Korea Ignores Deadline for Formal Talks on Kaesong

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.

Staff in Kaesong zone in North to be Withdrawn by Seoul After North's Rejection

After North Korea rejected offer of formal talks to restart operations at the Kaesong industrial zone, Seoul has decided to withdraw all 175 of its citizens, according to an official with the government.

North Korea blocked access to the Kaesong zone earlier this month, and then withdrew its workers from the zone, while South Korean company owners stayed behind to protect their investments.

Unification Minister Ryoo Kihl-jae said, ''because our nationals remaining in the Kaesong industrial zone are experiencing greater difficulties due to the North's unjust actions, the government has come to the unavoidaable decision to bring back all remaining personnel in order to protect their safety.''

He added, ''North Korea must guarantee the safe return of our personnel and fully protect the assets of the companies with investment in Kaesong.''

As tensions remain high in the region, the future of the last and only major symbol of cooperation between the Koreans is in question.

Earlier, the National Defence Commission of Pyongyang had complained that the US-South Korean military drills, coupled with the sharing of anti-North Korea leaflets at the border were proofs of its insincerity towards the demand for working-level talks.