DPRK Reopens Border for Stranded South Koreans

2009-03-17 13:18:45 Bridging the Straits

North Korea has partially reopened the crossing to let South Koreans stranded in a northern industrial zone head home after three days' shutting of its southern border.

But the spokesman of South Korean Unification Ministry Kim Ho-nyeon said that North Korea refused to let cargo or workers back across the border to the dozens of factories in Kaesong, forcing a number of factories to suspend operations.

"We cannot expect stable development of the Kaesong Industrial Complex. Therefore, the South Korean government has a firm position that land-route passage across the border must be guaranteed under a system which is actually implemented."

According to the Corporate Council of Kaesong Industrial Complex, at least 10 firms have halted operations, and many more will be forced to suspend production within a week if trucks aren't allowed through the border.

South Korea also warned that North Korea would be held accountable for any economic losses caused by the border restrictions.

Last week North Korea shut down the border to protest against joint US-South Korean military exercises.

Talk China

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