Seeking Compromise

Pak Chol-su (left), North Korean representative, shortly before a fourth round of talks at Kaesong in North Korea on July 17, 2013, walks next to Kim Ki-wong (r), representing South Korea.
Pak Chol-su (left), North Korean representative, shortly before a fourth round of talks at Kaesong in North Korea on July 17, 2013, walks next to Kim Ki-wong (r), representing South Korea.

 

​After Wednesday's talks in Kaesong, South Korean businessmen are expecting something positive, saying that the talks were quite productive. Although North Korea rejected a petition from them, the 14 South Korean businessmen said that they will hold similar meetings in the future. They met with Pak Chol-su, the North Korean official overseer of the business park, and delivered vivid stories about the companies' perspective to urge Pyongyang to engage in talks.

"We asked North Korea to engage in government-level talks swiftly, considering that many companies do not want another suspension as happened in 2013," they added, assuming that the North would think in the same direction.

The joint business complex, which stands as the last remaining link of inter-Korean economic cooperation, is the workplace of some 53,000 North Koreans and the place of business of 125 South Korean factories.

Looking for a solution to the weeks-long conflict, the South Korean government showed some flexibility today. The government insisted that it is appropriate to resolve the North’s unilateral decision to elevate the minimum wage through government-level talks.

However, according to a senior Unification Ministry official, the South is seeking a resolution through the Kaesong Industrial District Management Committee. The committee seems to be a North Korean organization. But, in fact, it is headed by South Korean government official Kim Nam-sik, who was South Korea's vice unification minister and now chairs the committee.

"We are positively considering consultations between the committee and the North's Central Special Development Guidance Bureau," a ministry official told reporters, explaining the background of change. He also said, “Seeing that payday comes on April 10, it is urgent to resolve the problem. Settling the wage issue, we can start to talk on the following matters regarding general labor regulations and land fees.”

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