Returnees to Kaesong Liaison Office Expected to Enter After 5 PM

58 South Korean Personnel Remain in Kaesong
Ministry of Unification: "Return as Soon as Possible"

North Korea is rapidly informing its residents daily about the global spread of the novel coronavirus infection known as 'Wuhan pneumonia.' On the 27th, Korean Central TV aired a special program titled 'Special Feature, Rapidly Spreading Novel Coronavirus' to provide residents with detailed information on the reality of Wuhan pneumonia and methods of infection prevention.

On the 30th, as part of quarantine measures against the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia), the South and North Korean authorities decided to temporarily suspend the operation of the Kaesong Inter-Korean Liaison Office. The South Korean personnel remaining at the local office are expected to cross the border after 5 p.m.

On the 30th, the Ministry of Unification stated, "We are currently negotiating the entry time," and added, "The crossing of the returning personnel through the southern end of the Unification Bridge is expected to be delayed compared to the usual daily entry time (around 5 p.m.)."

Currently, 58 South Korean personnel (17 officials and 41 support staff) are staying at the Kaesong Liaison Office.

The government plans to bring all personnel back as soon as possible. A Ministry of Unification official said, "The goal is to have everyone return today," but added, "However, since consultations with the North are necessary, we need to monitor the situation a bit longer."

Meanwhile, instead of operating the liaison office, which serves as a constant communication channel between the South and North, both sides agreed to establish a separate communication line.

A Ministry of Unification official explained, "The South and North have set up separate telephone and fax lines between Seoul and Pyongyang to continue the liaison office's communication duties."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.