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Amid tension, two Koreas hold rare talks

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-06-11 13:47

SEOUL, South Korea -- Officials from the two Koreas held rare talks Thursday on the fate of a joint industrial complex amid rising tensions over recent nuclear test by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the likelihood of new UN sanctions against the isolated state.

Soldiers stand guard as trucks wait near the office of CIQ, just south of the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas, in Paju, about 45 km (28 miles) north of Seoul, June 11, 2009, before the trucks cross the border to go to the inter-Korean industrial complex in Kaesong, DPRK. [Agencies]

The talks at the factory park in the DPRK border town of Kaesong are only the second meeting between civilian officials from the two sides in more than a year, a reflection of the deeply frayed relations and mistrust between the nations struggling to push ahead reconciliation efforts.

Related readings:  S Korea to meet with DPRK at joint park next week  S.Korean firm quits DPRK factory zone  DPRK 'will use N-arms if provoked'  Nations agree on draft resolution on DPRK N-test  DPRK says S.Korea intrudes into its water

The South Korean Unification Ministry said the talks had begun, adding that three officials from each side, supported by an unspecified number of support staff, would participate.

Bilateral relations worsened after a pro-US, conservative government took office in Seoul last year, advocating a tougher policy on Pyongyang. In retaliation, the reclusive regime cut off ties, halted all major joint projects except the Kaesong complex and significantly restricted border traffic.

"We are planning to meet with officials from the North and solve the problems with an open heart," said Kim Young-tak, head of Seoul's 14-member delegation, before leaving on a two-hour road trip to Kaesong.

The Kaesong complex, where 106 South Korean companies operate with some 40,000 DPRK workers, is the Koreas' last remaining reconciliation project. It makes everything from electronics and watches to shoes and utensils.

But the park's fate was thrown into doubt after Pyongyang said last month it was canceling what it calls "preferential" contracts for its occupants and writing new rules for them. DPRK said the South must accept them or pull out.

Despite the problems, "we hope the South-North relationship will improve and develop in the future through this kind of meeting and dialogue. We hope there will be a productive result today," Kim, the delegation head, said.

The South Korean government says it is committed to developing the Kaesong industrial complex despite the problems between the two countries.

But some companies appear to be losing patience. Earlier this week, a South Korean fur-garment manufacturer announced that it was pulling out of Kaesong.

DPRK has also been preparing to test-fire an intercontinental ballistic missile and appears to be readying for short- and medium-range missile tests. This has prompted South Korea to step up its military preparations.

Intensifying tensions, DPRK handed down 12-year prison terms to two detained American journalists on Monday. Analysts have said Pyongyang is expected to use the reporters as bargaining chips in nuclear and other negotiation with the US.