SEOUL: South Korea yesterday gave North Korea 24 hours to agree to formal talks to restart operations at their joint Kaesong industrial zone, warning of “significant measures” if Pyongyang declines.
It was a rare ultimatum from the South, which is more used to being on the receiving end of such warnings, and reflected Seoul’s growing impatience with the costly impasse over Kaesong.
The Unification Ministry did not specify the measures to be taken, but there was a clear suggestion it might consider a permanent withdrawal from the zone, which normally employs 53,000 workers at 123 South Korean firms.
A rare symbol of inter-Korean cooperation, Kaesong has become the most notable victim of escalating military tensions on the Korean peninsula.
“There is no change on our stance to support the stable operation and improvement (of Kaesong),” Unification Ministry Spokesman Kim Hyung-Seok said.
“But we cannot let this situation continue as it is,” he added. “If North Korea rejects our proposal... we have no choice but to take significant measures.”
UN leader Ban Ki-moon said had “taken note” of the South’s call, according to spokesman Martin Nesirky, and “sincerely hopes the operation of the complex can return to normal as soon as possible through dialogue”.
The ultimatum came as North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un oversaw a military parade to mark the anniversary of the founding of the country’s army.
The talks on Kaesong proposed by Seoul would be between the heads of the North and South’s management committees that oversee the zone’s operations.
AFP
