Submit your comments on this article | |
China-Japan-Koreas | |
Second Kaesong meeting between two Koreas is uncertain | |
2009-05-15 | |
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.
| |
Posted by:Steve White |