S. Korea suspends operations at inter-Korean Kaesong Industrial Complex

정부, 개성공단 가동 전면중단 북한 첫 독자제재
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South Korea has suspended its operations at the joint Kaesong Industrial Complex with North Korea.
Seoul's move to shut the factory park,... which is a major source of income for North Korea, is in response to Pyongyang's continued provocations.
Connie Kim reports.
South Korea says shutting down the Kaesong Industrial Park is a special measure as a means to pressure North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons program.
Seoul's unification ministry's sanctions come as Pyongyang carried out its nuclear test and launched its long-range ballistic missile.

"We cannot curb North Korea's nuclear and missile development plans with existing response measures at such a grave situation.
We must respond strongly with the international community to Pyongyang's wrong behavior and there is a need for special measures to pressure North Korea to give up nuclear weapons program and bring about change."

The ministry added operations of the industrial park have contributed to the North developing weapons of mass destruction and advancing its nuclear capabilities.
The South Korean government and firms have invested some 854 million U.S. dollars into the complex, the last remaining symbol of inter-Korean economic cooperation, since it was launched in 2003.

As for South Korean companies that will be pulling out from the complex, the government plans to support them, but the details need to be ironed out.
Back in 2013, when Pyongyang pulled all of its workers from the complex, Seoul provided loans and special funds to the South Korean companies and made them tax exempt.
One ministry official also said they are reviewing the possibility of offering the 124 companies some kind of replacement sites as an alternative to their operations in the complex.

"But for now, re-starting operations at the industrial park is not expected anytime soon as South Korea said the North will have to address the international community's concerns regarding its nuclear and missile development and create an environment for normal operations at the park.
Connie Kim, Arirang News."

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