Kaesong Industrial Complex Tenants "North Korea's Liaison Office Explosion Breaks Our Hearts"

As North Korea blew up the Inter-Korean Joint Liaison Office, a symbol of inter-Korean reconciliation and a representative achievement of the Panmunjom Declaration, on the 17th, Jeong Gi-seop, president of the Kaesong Industrial Complex Enterprises Association, along with representatives of member companies, exchanged opinions before making a statement at the Kaesong Industrial Complex Enterprises Association in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyeong aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Hyewon] Regarding the North's demolition of the Kaesong Inter-Korean Joint Liaison Office, the Emergency Measures Committee of Kaesong Industrial Complex Companies stated on the 17th, "We earnestly hope that the South and North governments will make efforts to resolve the situation through dialogue, such as holding a summit, to prevent further deterioration of the situation."

The Emergency Measures Committee held an urgent press conference on the afternoon of the same day at the Korea Federation of SMEs building in Yeouido, Seoul, saying, "The Kaesong Industrial Complex is not only the hope of our resident companies but also a symbol of peace and cooperation for our people."

The committee expressed, "We deeply regret and are profoundly concerned with a heavy heart over the demolition of the Joint Liaison Office located in the Kaesong Industrial Complex, which was a symbol of peace on the Korean Peninsula," adding, "Our companies, who believed in the promises of both governments and did not give up hope for the reopening of the Kaesong Industrial Complex, are devastated by the current developments."

The committee urged the North to "refrain from taking any further measures that would permanently block the reopening of the Kaesong Industrial Complex."

To the government authorities, they said, "Although the trigger of the situation was the distribution of leaflets against the North, the background lies in the failure to implement the April 27 and September 19 agreements between the leaders. We urge the implementation of the inter-Korean joint declarations, especially the prompt promotion of the Kaesong Industrial Complex, Mount Kumgang tourism, and railway and road connection projects, as well as a clear expression of the government's will to reopen the Kaesong Industrial Complex."

Regarding the United States, the committee stated, "The unprecedented situation was caused by the U.S. obstructing inter-Korean cooperation through the Korea-U.S. Working Group at every turn," and urged, "From the standpoint of resolving the issue, we call on the U.S. to respect and support the inter-Korean agreements."

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