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Group of diplomats largest since economic zone’s launch
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said that about 80 diplomats, including Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon, heads of diplomatic bodies in South Korea, and representatives of international agencies, will visit the Kaesong Industrial Complex in North Korea on June 12.
The visitors include U.S. Ambassador Alexander Vershbow, Chinese Ambassador Ning Kufui, Russian Ambassador Glev Ivashentsov and the Seoul representative of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Japanese Ambassador Shotaro Oshima said he would not be able to take part in the visit.
This team of visitors is the largest group invited to Kaesong, in terms of political and diplomatic significance, since the project was launched in 2003. Ko Kyung-bin, director of the Social and Cultural Exchanges Bureau of the Ministry of Unification, stressed, "Kaesong is a core business in [the quest for] South-North reconciliation and cooperation, and it is part of a plan to establish an economic community," adding that with the upcoming visit, the two Koreas "can let international society know the real situation and vision of the Kaesong project," strengthening support for it, Mr. Ko said.
Ambassador Vershbow’s attendance is notable. Kaesong is one of the core issues of contention in ongoing Korea-U.S. free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations as well as a conflict point in Korea-U.S. policies on North Korea. Ambassador Vershbow will be the highest-ranking U.S. politician to have visited Kaesong. A Seoul government official said, "Ambassador Vershbow’s visit to Kaesong is a good opportunity to raise understanding in American society." In connection with the visit, high-ranking politicians from Pyongyang may visit Kaesong at the same time. The diplomatic guests are set to tour facilities and watch presentations about the special economic zone. Sightseeing is not included in the schedule.
