S. Korean Firms Ask for Lifting of N.K. Sanctions

The U.S. State Department has turned down request from firms at the Kaesong Industrial Complex that its sanctions on North Korea with regard to inter-Korean economic cooperation projects be lifted.

Voice of America (VOA) reported on April 6 that firms at the Kaesong Industrial Complex appealed to the United States Department of State to lift its sanctions on North Korea with regard to inter-Korean economic cooperation projects but the State Department turned down their request.

The firms recently sent a letter to U.S. President Donald Trump, urging him to make an exception for economic cooperation between the two Koreas. The State Department said in response on April 5 (local time) that every U.N. member country needs to adhere to U.N. sanctions.

“Every U.N. member should take it seriously that it is responsible for helping end North Korea’s illegal nuclear and missile programs,” the State Department remarked, adding, “As South Korean President Moon Jae-in mentioned, inter-Korean relations can show no progress separately from efforts for addressing the North Korean nuclear programs.”
 

The firms sent the letter on April 4 to the Embassy of the United States in Seoul, claiming that the livelihood of more than 200,000 Koreans is at stake with the Kaesong Industrial Complex shut down and the United States should lift its sanctions on the North.

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