Ministry hopes for early resumption of Kaesong complex as it marks anniversary of shutdown
SEOUL, Feb. 9 (Yonhap) -- The unification ministry on Tuesday expressed hope for the early reopening of a now-shuttered industrial complex in North Korea's border town of Kaesong as it marks the fifth anniversary of its closure amid chilled inter-Korean relations.
South Korea closed the Kaesong Industrial Complex in February 2016 in retaliation against the North's nuclear and missile provocations. The Kaesong complex had been considered one of the most tangible symbols of inter-Korean reconciliation.
"The government has made efforts to create an environment for the reopening of the Kaesong complex but there have been difficulties to produce actual results," Lee Jong-joo, the ministry's spokesperson, said.
"The resumption of the Kaesong complex was agreed upon by the leaders of the South and the North in 2018," she said. "We hope that the day will come earlier than later that we can discuss the resumption of the operation of the Kaesong complex with inter-Korean relations being improved."
South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un agreed during a summit in Pyongyang in September 2018 to reopen the Kaesong industrial park, along with a tour program to Mount Kumgang on the North's east coast, as soon as conditions are met.
Those projects, however, have remained stalled amid little progress in the North's denuclearization negotiations with the United States.
Cross-border ties have chilled further since North Korea blew up a joint liaison office in Kaesong last June in anger over anti-Pyongyang leaflets sent from South Korea.

Civic groups and businessmen that operated factories in the Kaesong industrial complex of North Korea hold a joint press conference in downtown Seoul on March 7, 2019, urging for the reopening of the complex as well as tours to a North Korean mountain resort. Kaesong was shut down in February 2016 and the travel program to Mount Kumgang in 2008, severing the two main inter-Korean cooperation deals. The businessmen applied, for the eighth time, the previous day for permission to visit Kaesong, and a Seoul official said South Korea will discuss the matter with the United States. (Yonhap)
kokobj@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
Nuclear envoys of S. Korea, U.S., Japan condemn N. Korea's stipulation of nuclear policy
-
(LEAD) N. Korea stipulates nuclear force-building policy in constitution
-
(7th LD) Travis King in U.S. custody after expulsion by N. Korea: Washington officials
-
Royal palaces in Seoul available for free during Chuseok holiday
-
Traffic jam expected to ease late Thu., 1st day of Chuseok holiday
-
N. Korea stipulates nuclear force-building policy in constitution
-
5 years after signing, future of inter-Korean military accord unclear
-
Kim-Putin summit highlights strategic push to expand cooperation
-
In desperation, N. Korea, Russia turn to one another for mutual assistance rivaling U.S.-S. Korea cooperation
-
N. Korea probably sees technical advance in spy satellite launch despite botched 2nd attempt