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At the Central Government Complex in Seoul

In its Feb. 10 announcement of a full-scale shutdown of the Kaesong Industrial Complex, the South Korean government claimed that South Korean cash and investments in the complex were “likely be used to advance North Korea’s nuclear weapons and long-range missiles.” No specific basis for the claim was given at the time. On the question of proof, a senior Ministry of Unification official said that “there were some concerns and speculation” but that “nothing has been confirmed about how much has been channeled there.” Two days later, on Feb. 12, Minister of Unification Hong Yong-pyo claimed to have “related data” as evidence - but declined to make them public.

Speaking at a press conference at the Central Government Complex in Seoul that day, Hong declared that he was not at liberty to provide data to support the claims.

“There have been concerns from various quarters that cash of various types from the Kaesong complex, including wages, were being used toward weapons of mass destruction. If it were data that we could make public, we would already have done so,” he said.

The reference to unconfirmed data appears to have been intended to sidestep criticisms of the Park administration for flip-flopping on its previous position that the complex’s operation was “business as usual in inter-Korean economic cooperation.” Hong also reiterated the argument that the complex had to shut down as a measure to ensure South Korea’s security and the safety of its people amid “continued provocations” by the North.

Hong also voiced dismay with a Feb. 11 statement by North Korea’s Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland (CPRF) announcing an asset freeze at the complex and the expulsion of South Korean staff. In it, various insults and offensive expressions were used to criticize Park.

“[North Korea] made absurd attacks using absolutely unspeakable, vulgar language in its CPRF statement yesterday,” Hong said.

“I feel very dismayed by this wrongful behavior by North Korea,” he added.

By Kim Jin-cheol, staff reporter

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