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Koreas restart operations at Kaesong industrial zone | Koreas restart operations at Kaesong industrial zone |
(35 minutes later) | |
The Kaesong industrial complex in North Korea is reopening, five months after it was closed due to political tensions with the South. | The Kaesong industrial complex in North Korea is reopening, five months after it was closed due to political tensions with the South. |
The BBC's Lucy Williamson says a long line of trucks and cars began crossing the North Korean border at exactly 08:00 (23:00 GMT Sunday). | The BBC's Lucy Williamson says a long line of trucks and cars began crossing the North Korean border at exactly 08:00 (23:00 GMT Sunday). |
More than 800 South Koreans are due to cross to the jointly-run centre. | More than 800 South Koreans are due to cross to the jointly-run centre. |
Seoul has also sent negotiators who will discuss ways to attract foreign investment and ensure future stability. | Seoul has also sent negotiators who will discuss ways to attract foreign investment and ensure future stability. |
The zone, just inside North Korea, is home to 123 South Korean factories that employ more than 50,000 North Koreans. | The zone, just inside North Korea, is home to 123 South Korean factories that employ more than 50,000 North Koreans. |
It is the last functioning inter-Korean joint project and a key source of revenue for Pyongyang. | It is the last functioning inter-Korean joint project and a key source of revenue for Pyongyang. |
The North removed all of its workers in April after its third nuclear test on 12 February sparked tensions on the Peninsula and led to expanded UN sanctions. | |
Shortly afterwards, South Korea and the US launched annual military drills, further angering Pyongyang. | |
Five-point accord | |
The two Koreas have held multiple talks over reopening the Kaesong complex and finally reached a deal last month. | |
Under a five-point accord, the site will become open to foreign investors, making it harder for North Korea to unilaterally close it again. | |
South Korean firms will also be exempt from taxes for the rest of the year, to offset losses incurred while the complex was closed. | |
But some local businessmen remain worried about the risks of doing business with Pyongyang. | |
"Honestly, I still feel a bit nervous, because you never know whether the North will change its mind in the future," a textile company manager told the French news agency AFP. | |
"Who knows if a crisis like this won't happen again?" he said. |