North Korea has accepted an amended South Korean proposal that will see the first-ever gathering of a committee established to cooperate on developing the Kaesong Industrial Complex.
Chosun Central News Agency (KCNA) reported the news today, saying, “Following the agreement to reopen the Kaesong Industrial Complex, North and South Korea decided on August 28th to establish a Kaesong Industrial Complex North-South Joint Committee aimed at bringing this agreement to fruition. The committee’s first meeting will take place inside the complex on September 2nd.”
The KCNA report also added, “The two Koreas agreed that the committee will establish a permanent office and any required sub-committees to help resolve issues that occur during the operation of the Kaesong Complex.”
The news confirms the words of a Ministry of Unification official, who told reporters yesterday, “The two Koreas have decided on the text of the agreement through Panmunjom liaison channels, and all that remains is to sign it.”
The agreement will enter force once signed by Kim Gi Ung, the head of the Ministry of Unification’s Inter-Korean Cooperation District Support, who is set to become the future head of the joint committee, and Pak Chol Su, the vice-head of the North Korean Guidance Bureau for Developing the Central Special Economic Zone.
In contrast, meanwhile, the two Koreas have failed to reach agreement on a date for working-level talks aimed at reviving Mt. Geumgang tourism.
Today, North Korea asked South Korea to “rethink” the South’s amended proposal to hold the meeting on October 2nd, one week later than the originally proposed date of September 25th. In a written notice sent by Jong O Gyung of the Chosun Workers’ Party’s United Front Department, North Korea repeated its proposal to hold the meeting in late August or early September.
