Second Kaesong meeting between two Koreas is uncertain

Posted on : 2009-05-14 12:27 KST Modified on : 2009-05-14 12:27 KST
S. Korea demands the detainee issue as a prerequisite, while N. Korea wants to limit agenda to wage and land use fees
 President of Hyundai Asan
 President of Hyundai Asan

It is reported that there are some difficulties in reaching an agreement on the agenda and schedule for a follow up Kaesong (Gaeseong) meeting between the two Koreas. The first Kaesong meeting, which signaled the first attempt at official inter-Korea dialogue since Lee Myung-bak was inaugurated, was held on April 21. As of May 13, whether there will be a second Kaesong meeting was uncertain.

A government official said on the same day, “The government has tried to negotiate with North Korea on the matter of holding a second Kaesong meeting sometime within the week. We see the second Kaesong meeting as necessary to maintaining momentum for inter-Korean dialogue, however, we have not been able to come to an agreement with North Korea about it due to a huge gap in opinions.”

Regarding the agenda, South Korea is demanding to talk about South Korean employee Yu, who has been detained for 45 days by North Korea, as a prerequisite to the discussions about wage and land use fees in Kaesong. However, North Korea maintains their position that Yu’s detention cannot be on the agenda because it is not a subject that the Bureau of Central Special District Development that is primarily responsible for managing the Kaesong Industrial Complex can discuss.

Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani

Most viewed articles