ID :
210453
Fri, 09/30/2011 - 13:21
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/210453
The shortlink copeid
GNP chief calls for flexibility in S. Korea's policy on N.K. after trip to Kaesong
(ATTN: UPDATES with arrival, comments and details in paras 1-6)
By Kim Kwang-tae and Kim Eun-jung
SEOUL (Yonhap) - South Korea's ruling party chief said Friday he will try to get Seoul to become more flexible in its policy on North Korea as he returned from a rare trip to a joint industrial complex in the communist nation amid strained relations between the sides.
Rep. Hong Joon-pyo of the Grand National Party (GNP) had left for the factory park in the North Korean border city of Kaesong earlier in the day, saying it is a "politician's obligation" to break the long-running impasse in inter-Korean relations.
"I will try to change the principle in the government's North Korea policy from strict reciprocity to flexible reciprocity," Hong told reporters upon returning from the one-day trip. Hong said, however, the trip did not include talks with North Korean officials.
Hong, the first chief of the conservative party ever to visit the industrial zone, said that if allowed, he will consider making another visit for political purposes in the future.
The lawmaker also called on Pyongyang to change its attitude to break the impasse.
During the trip, Hong visited South Korean-run factories and met with business owners. He said he would ask the government to open talks with the North about improving the infrastructure and business conditions at the complex.
Tensions still linger between the two divided Koreas over the North's two deadly attacks on the South last year that killed 50 South Koreans, mostly soldiers. The North has refused to take responsibility for the attacks, keeping the rival Koreas from repairing their relations for more than a year.
The factory park has become the last-remaining symbol of inter-Korean rapprochement that boomed following their first-ever summit in 2000.
More than 47,000 North Koreans work at about 120 South Korean firms operating in the industrial zone to produce clothes, utensils, watches and other goods. The project serves as a key legitimate cash cow for the impoverished communist country.
Separately, 15 South Korean civic group officials visited Kaesong on Friday to deliver 250 tons of flour and medical supplies to North Korean children in the latest private aid shipment to the North.
Hong's trip also comes amid diplomatic efforts to move forward long-stalled talks on ending North Korea's nuclear weapons programs.
Last week, the nuclear envoys of South and North Korea held their second meeting in Beijing in as many months, although no significant progress was made.
North Korea calls for an early resumption of the talks without any preconditions but Seoul and Washington insist that Pyongyang halt its uranium enrichment program and allow U.N. inspectors back into the country before resuming the talks.
The six-party talks, which involve the two Koreas, the United States, China, Japan and Russia, were last held in Beijing in late 2008.
By Kim Kwang-tae and Kim Eun-jung
SEOUL (Yonhap) - South Korea's ruling party chief said Friday he will try to get Seoul to become more flexible in its policy on North Korea as he returned from a rare trip to a joint industrial complex in the communist nation amid strained relations between the sides.
Rep. Hong Joon-pyo of the Grand National Party (GNP) had left for the factory park in the North Korean border city of Kaesong earlier in the day, saying it is a "politician's obligation" to break the long-running impasse in inter-Korean relations.
"I will try to change the principle in the government's North Korea policy from strict reciprocity to flexible reciprocity," Hong told reporters upon returning from the one-day trip. Hong said, however, the trip did not include talks with North Korean officials.
Hong, the first chief of the conservative party ever to visit the industrial zone, said that if allowed, he will consider making another visit for political purposes in the future.
The lawmaker also called on Pyongyang to change its attitude to break the impasse.
During the trip, Hong visited South Korean-run factories and met with business owners. He said he would ask the government to open talks with the North about improving the infrastructure and business conditions at the complex.
Tensions still linger between the two divided Koreas over the North's two deadly attacks on the South last year that killed 50 South Koreans, mostly soldiers. The North has refused to take responsibility for the attacks, keeping the rival Koreas from repairing their relations for more than a year.
The factory park has become the last-remaining symbol of inter-Korean rapprochement that boomed following their first-ever summit in 2000.
More than 47,000 North Koreans work at about 120 South Korean firms operating in the industrial zone to produce clothes, utensils, watches and other goods. The project serves as a key legitimate cash cow for the impoverished communist country.
Separately, 15 South Korean civic group officials visited Kaesong on Friday to deliver 250 tons of flour and medical supplies to North Korean children in the latest private aid shipment to the North.
Hong's trip also comes amid diplomatic efforts to move forward long-stalled talks on ending North Korea's nuclear weapons programs.
Last week, the nuclear envoys of South and North Korea held their second meeting in Beijing in as many months, although no significant progress was made.
North Korea calls for an early resumption of the talks without any preconditions but Seoul and Washington insist that Pyongyang halt its uranium enrichment program and allow U.N. inspectors back into the country before resuming the talks.
The six-party talks, which involve the two Koreas, the United States, China, Japan and Russia, were last held in Beijing in late 2008.
