Despite Condemnation from Unification Minister... North Korea Massively Operates Kaesong Industrial Complex Factories

Ministry of Unification: "North Korea Continues to Increase Workforce in Kaesong Industrial Complex"
Satellite Images Show Operation of 21 Factories

Unification Minister Kwon Young-se issued a statement condemning North Korea's unauthorized use of the Kaesong Industrial Complex and hinted at legal action, but it has been found that North Korea is instead increasing the operation rate of the factories.

An official from the Ministry of Unification told reporters on the 9th, "Considering various circumstances including satellite images, the government believes that about 10 factories within the Kaesong Industrial Complex are in operation," adding, "The number and the workforce involved are increasing."

The Kaesong Industrial Complex area as seen from the Dora Observatory in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on the western front of Paju, Gyeonggi Province [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the same day, Voice of America (VOA) reported that an analysis of satellite images taken as of the 20th of last month revealed buses, crowds, and materials at 21 buildings and open spaces within the Kaesong Industrial Complex. The satellite images captured shadows presumed to be crowds around vehicles such as buses previously provided by the South Korean side parked in front of several factories, as well as signs of a garbage dump filled with waste.

The number of buses parked in the central depot of the complex also appeared to have decreased. The depot had maintained around 240 large buses that the Kaesong Industrial District Management Committee had provided for North Korean workers' commuting, but only about 200 were found. The reduction in parked buses suggests a high possibility that North Korea is continuing to operate the Kaesong Industrial Complex unauthorizedly by mobilizing workers.

The signs of North Korea operating the Kaesong Industrial Complex more actively were detected shortly after Minister Kwon Young-se issued a statement on the 11th of last month condemning North Korea's unauthorized use of the complex and warning of legal measures. At that time, Minister Kwon strongly condemned, "Despite multiple warnings from our government, North Korea is infringing on property rights by unauthorized use of facilities belonging to our companies within the Kaesong Industrial Complex."

The Ministry of Unification is reviewing various measures to hold North Korea legally accountable, but the legal effectiveness remains uncertain. An official from the Ministry said, "Measures to hold responsibility regarding the Kaesong Industrial Complex are continuously under review."

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