Download
The Republic of Korea said talks with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on reopening a jointly run industrial complex ended without agreement on Wednesday, but the two sides will meet again next week.
The ROK's chief delegate Suh Ho said talks on restarting the Kaesong industrial complex's mothballed factories would continue on July 15, after about four hours of meetings that started on Wednesday morning.
"We both agreed that the complex should be maintained and further developed," Suh told reporters at the site just inside the DPRK.
"The DPRK argued that it should be resumed as soon as machinery checkups are finished, while we pointed out that the same situation could be repeated even after the reopening if there is no firm guarantee on preventing a recurrence (of the shutdown).
"So it was decided that this issue would be discussed at the next meeting," he added.
The talks follow months of cross-border friction after the DPRK's February nuclear test attracted tougher UN sanctions.
The Kaesong industrial complex was shut down three months ago as relations between the neighbors hit crisis point.
But at a rare weekend meeting, the ROK and DPRK agreed in principle to reopen the Kaesong industrial complex, the last remaining symbol of cross-border reconciliation.
The Kaesong industrial complex, which was built in 2004, sits about 10 kilometers inside the DPRK. The ROK-funded site, built as part of a diplomatic bid to improve cross-border relations, was an important source of hard currency for the DPRK.
In April, the DPRK withdrew its 53,000 workers from the 123 Seoul-owned factories at the complex, citing military tensions and what it called the ROK's hostility.
Seoul withdrew managers from most of the operations in early May.
The ROK now wants firm safeguards from the DPRK against shutting the Kaesong industrial complex down unilaterally, to keep the estate insulated from changes in relations.
This would be a bitter pill for the DPRK to swallow as it means it would accept responsibility for the April closure.
The ROK also wants compensation for losses stemming from the suspension, a demand the DPRK is unlikely to accept.
At the end of grueling 15-hour talks on Sunday, the two sides said in a joint statement they had agreed to let ROK firms restart their plants at the complex when conditions are ripe.
The statement was seen as a crucial step in winding down the months of high tension.
About the broadcaster:
Lance Crayon is a videographer and editor with China Daily. Since living in Beijing he has worked for China Radio International (CRI) and Global Times. Before moving to China he worked in the film industry in Los Angeles as a talent agent and producer. He has a B.A. in English from the University of Texas at Arlington.
英语里“pink 粉红色”的含义
比特币到底是什么?
川普访沙特将就伊斯兰教发表演说
一位幸运的女孩 A Lucky Girl
国内英语资讯:China, Cambodia vow to implement cooperation plans under Belt and Road Initiative
国际英语资讯:Trump willing to engage with DPRK: S.Korean envoy
美土总统白宫会晤避谈库尔德武装
The power of colour 色彩的魅力
国内英语资讯:China, UNICEF, UNFPA to deepen cooperation under B&R Initiative
国内英语资讯:Turkeys Antalya open arms for Chinese tourists eyeing peak in 2018
国际英语资讯:No secrets were passed to me by Trump, says Lavrov
国际英语资讯:President Trump not expected to move U.S. embassy to Jerusalem: media
国际英语资讯:European Parliament welcomes Brexit negotiation unity, calls for EU reform
伊朗以制裁回应美国对伊新制裁
不是闹着玩儿!《速度与激情》主演道恩•强森或竞选总统
国际英语资讯:Two giant pandas in Dutch zoo to meet public on May 30
国内英语资讯:China, Cambodia vow to enhance cooperation, promote regional stability
体坛英语资讯:China win three out of five titles at Asian Mountain Bike Championships
国际英语资讯:Frances new government announced
神转折:22岁少年无意中破解勒索病毒!
结婚之前 你需要知道这10件事
喷子,吃蛋糕!来看这位女士如何应对网络骚扰
纹身艺术家打造可收听的“声波纹身”
给下一届苏世民学者的一封公开信
体坛英语资讯:Leonard likely out for Spurs Game two against Warriors
国内英语资讯:China, Argentina pledge to strengthen bilateral ties
国内英语资讯:China to increase momentum in smart manufacturing
国内英语资讯:Top political advisors approve drafts, regulation
国内英语资讯:China Headlines: China succeeds in mining combustible ice in South China Sea
巴西总统否认支持行贿