[USFK Forums] U.S. official visits N. Korean industrial town [Korea Herald]

[C. Y. Lee]

Uploaded by C. Y. Lee on Tuesday, March 21, 2006

U.S. official visits N. Korean industrial town

The Korea Herald, Tuesday, March 21, 2006

A U.S. Congress staffer visited North Korea`s industrial zone yesterday on a rare trip to see inter-Korean business cooperation there, sources said yesterday.

Douglas Anderson, a professional staff member for the Committee on International Relations at the House of Representatives, accompanied by a U.S. embassy official, visited the Gaeseong industrial complex, an official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said on condition of anonymity.

It was the first time North Korea has allowed a U.S. official to visit the complex, which is still under construction.

The complex has been touted as the flagship project for inter-Korean economic cooperation. While only about 15 South Korean firms are currently operating there, the complex is expected to house some 2,000 South Korean factories by 2012.

A U.S. Embassy official in Seoul, who wished to remain anonymous, also confirmed that Anderson made the visit to the North as "he wished to understand more of the complex."

North Korea reportedly issued invitations to Anderson and two U.S. embassy officials last Thursday, allowing them to visit the facility until the end of March, the sources said.

The visit also came after Unification Minister Lee Jong-seok said Thursday that the U.S. "wants to confirm North Korea`s willingness to open up."

U.S. Ambassador to Seoul Alexander Vershbow also reportedly said during a meeting with ruling Uri Party Chairman Chung Dong-young Friday that the embassy`s mid-level staff may visit North Korea in the near future.

2006.03.21



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