The South Korean government today put on hold all visits to North Korea with the exception of those to the Kaesong Industrial Complex, and moved to recall a number of civilians currently in the country.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Unification, Choi Bo Sun told a briefing that a planned meeting to discuss a joint archeological project was being put on hold and that “visits to North Korea for humanitarian support are being suspended temporarily.”
“The 13 people currently in the Kaesong Complex who are to repair and preserve Kaesong Manwuldae are currently in Kaesong and are being recalled tomorrow,” the spokersperson noted.
Ten aid monitors planning set to go to Kangnam County in North Hwanghae Province are scheduled to head back tomorrow from the North Korean capital, Pyongyang.
Choi explained the background, saying, “At an urgent meeting today chaired by the Minister of Unification we discussed trends and policy towards North Korea. Safety measures have been taken for the South Koreans in North Korea and at the Kaesong Industrial Complex.”
The Ministry of Unification is operating a situation room and has established a comprehensive task force. Comprehensive counter measures will be lead by Kim Cheon Shik, the sitting Vice Minister of Unification, and Kim Nam Shik, Head of the Unification Policy.
As of 5pm today there are a total of 717 South Korean people in North Korea; 707 in Kaesong and 10 in Pyongyang. The North Korean workers at Kaesong went home early today at 3PM in line with a North Korean request. They will resume work on the 20th.
