Koreas to hold talks on Gaeseong on Feb. 1

South and North Korea yesterday agreed to hold working-level talks on the joint factory park in Gaeseong on Feb. 1 after a two-day workshop that ended late Wednesday in the North`s border town.

"The North agreed to our proposal to hold the talks on Feb. 1 just before we left for Seoul this morning," Kim Young-tak, Seoul`s senior representative for inter-Korean dialogue, said in a press briefing yesterday.

The two sides had disagreements over what should be on the agenda for the working-level talks, with the North insisting on discussing wages for its workers.

"The South maintained that the agenda should be limited to employee dormitories and ensuring smooth border transit, customs clearance and telecommunication," Kim said.



"Since the North accepted our proposal for talks, we believe only those issues will be dealt with on Feb. 1."

The North had demanded last summer a four-fold wage increase for its 40,000 workers to $300 a month. The South has declined to discuss the issue, saying it was not a matter to be negotiated between governments as the wages are paid by companies.

During the two-day workshop, the Koreas reviewed their joint survey of industrial zones in China and Vietnam last month and exchanged views on matters that require prior settlement to develop the Gaeseong industrial park, Kim said.

Meanwhile, Seoul plans to accept Pyongyang`s proposal to hold talks on resuming South Korean tours to the North`s Mount Geumgang resort and Gaeseong, a government source here said yesterday.

"It is time to give some kind of a reply to the North`s overtures," a high-ranking government official said on condition of anonymity.

"I believe it is necessary to meet (with the North Korean authorities)."

The Korea Asia Pacific Peace Committee under the North`s Workers` Party sent a message last week suggesting working-level talks on Jan. 26 and 27 to discuss reviving the lucrative tour programs. The committee and the South`s Hyundai Group are the proprietors of the tour business contract.

The South is expected to suggest a later date and demand that a North Korean government authority, not a member of an extra-governmental committee, must attend the talks as the chief negotiator.

"A North Korean government official would be more reliable in discussing new rules for the safety of tourists," the official said.

Seoul suspended excursions to Mount Geumgang after a South Korean tourist was shot to death by a North Korean soldier there in July 2008.

The South has since maintained that it can consider resuming the tours only if the North provides a thorough explanation on the death and sets rules to prevent such incidents and ensure the safety of tourists.

(sophie@heraldm.com)







By Kim So-hyun