Kim Yang Gon Visits Kaesong Industrial Complex, Withdraws DPRK Workers

Kim Yang Gon (C) meeting with residents of the Ch’angjon Street apartment complex in July 2012. On 8 April 2013 Kim Yang Gon met with officials at the Kaesong Industrial Zone and issued a statement which declared the country would “withdraw” the DPRK’s 53,000 workers from the zone. (Photo: KCTV screengrab)

DPRK state media reported on 8 April (Monday) that Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] Secretary and Director of the United Front Department [UFD], Kim Yang Gon issued a statement following a visit to the the Kaeso’ng Industrial Complex (Kaeso’ng Industrial Zone).  Kim, a DPRK civilian intelligence official who manages the department (UFD) responsible for inter-Korean relations, said the country will “withdraw all its employees from the zone” and “will temporarily suspend the operations in the zone and examine the issue of whether it will allow its existence or close it as the south Korean authorities and military warmongers seek to turn it into a hotbed of confrontation between compatriots and war against the DPRK, hurting its dignity.”  There are approximately 53,000 DPRK employees in the complex.  The  Kim also announced that “General Bureau for Central Guidance to the Development of the Special Zone will be responsible for the working matters related to the important steps including the withdrawal of the employees and the temporary suspension of the operations in the zone” and that the future of the Kaeso’ng complex “will develop in the days ahead will entirely depend on the attitude of the south Korean authorities.”

Prior to issuing the statement, Kim toured the Kaeso’ng complex, accompanied by officials from the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea (f.k.a. Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland) and from the General Bureau for the Central Guidance to the Development of the Special Zone.  Kim Yang Gon toured the offices of the DPRK’s Guidance Bureau and “Kaesong Industrial Zone combined supporting center and other units and production sites inside the zone.”  Kim also visited the Military Demarcation Line [MDL] where he “drew attention to the fate of the zone that has been put at stake as the south Korean conservative authorities aggravated the situation by making remarks slandering the dignity of the DPRK over the zone issue.”  He also “branded the scheme as an intentional provocation to make the zone a starting point of a war” in response to ROK Minister of National Defense Kim Kwan-jin’s recent remarks on utilizing special forces in the event South Korean nationals working in the complex are taken hostage.  According to KCNA, Kim “called for maintaining strained and mobilized posture on a high alert with the U.S. and the south Korean warmongers stepping up moves to provoke a war against the DPRK” and said that “it has become impossible to operate the zone as usual due to the south Korean warmongers’ reckless acts.”  After his tours Kim Yang Gon convened a meeting with local DPRK officials “and entrusted relevant fields with detailed tasks, urging them to get fully ready to cope with whatever development in the zone.”

Kaesong Industrial Complex (Kaesong Industrial Zone) (Photo: Google image)

According to South Korean media, the removal of DPRK workers from the Kaeso’ng Industrial Complex may occur as early as 9 April (Tuesday), and that the DPRK has requested that companies in Kaeso’ng that “only bare essential personnel should remain.”  South Korea’s new Minister of Unification Ryoo Kihl-jae told South Korean legislators that “There is no guarantee that an envoy can reduce tensions on the Korean Peninsula.  Seoul does not think now is the time to send such a person over to the North,” that “returning things to normal does not require negotiation” and that “The current conditions are not conducive to talks.  The North is not showing the right attitude needed for discussions to take place.”  Ryoo was responding both to the DPRK’s most recent statement about the Kaeso’ng zone and “calls by the 123 South Korean companies with factories at the Kaesong Industrial Complex and by politicians for the government to engage in talks with the North.”

According to Yonhap, there are “475 South Koreans in Kaesong, with a total of 39 workers having crossed over to the South during the day (Monday)” and “77 workers are expected to return here, although that number may change after consultations between the unification ministry and the businesses on Tuesday.”

Kim Yang Gon’s statement on the Kaeso’ng zone, according to KCNA was:

The Korean Peninsula has been put in the state of war due to the serious anti-DPRK moves of the U.S. and south Korean authorities and their moves for a nuclear war.

Not content with escalating military tension together with the U.S., the south Korean conservatives, in particular, are running the whole gamut of intrigues to find a pretext for igniting a war against the DPRK after reducing the Kaesong Industrial Zone to a theatre of confrontation.

Defying the repeated warnings of the DPRK, the south Korean confrontation maniacs are letting loose a string of invectives hurting the dignity of the DPRK, talking about “source of money”, “detention” and “hostages”. South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan Jin revealed his sinister intention to introduce a special unit of the U.S. forces into the zone, vociferating about an operation for “rescuing hostages”.

This goes to prove that the south Korean warmongers seek to turn the zone into a hotbed of war against the DPRK.

By origin, the zone was built as a symbol of reconciliation, cooperation and reunification after the DPRK granted a privilege to Jong Ju Yong, honorary chairman of Hyundai Group of south Korea, valuing his patriotic will for reunification.

The DPRK’s offer to south Korean enterprises a vast area near the Military Demarcation Line where armed forces of the north and the south are standing in acute confrontation was a bold decision based on ardent love for the nation and compatriotism and a manifestation of the firm will for independent reunification, peace and prosperity based on the spirit of “By our nation itself” clarified in the historic June 15 North-South Joint Declaration.

When traitor Lee Myung Bak did serious harm to the inter-Korean relations in all aspects, getting hell-bent on confrontation after coming to power, the zone remained unaffected by it thanks to the desire and will of all Koreans in the north and the south for reunification and kept its operations for common prosperity.

But the zone is now in the grip of a serious crisis.

The zone, a product of the June 15 joint declaration, has been reduced to a theater of confrontation with fellow countrymen and military provocation, quite contrary to its original nature and mission due to such hideous confrontation maniacs as Kim Kwan Jin. This situation can no longer be tolerated.

The south Korean conservative forces claim that the DPRK will never give up the zone as it benefits from the industrial zone, but it gets few economic benefits from the zone while the south side largely benefits from it.

The DPRK provided an area of military strategic importance to the south side, in particular. This meant a big concession.

It is a tragedy that the industrial zone which should serve purposes of national reconciliation, unity, peace and reunification has been reduced to a theatre of confrontation between compatriots and war against the north. The existence of such zone is no better than nothing.

The DPRK is compelled to make an important decision related to the issue of the industrial zone now that the south Korean authorities abuse the generosity and compatriotism of the DPRK for their hostile purpose.

Upon authorization, I declare the following important steps as regards the crisis in the Kaesong Industrial Zone:

The DPRK will withdraw all its employees from the zone.

It will temporarily suspend the operations in the zone and examine the issue of whether it will allow its existence or close it as the south Korean authorities and military warmongers seek to turn it into a hotbed of confrontation between compatriots and war against the DPRK, hurting its dignity.

The General Bureau for Central Guidance to the Development of the Special Zone will be responsible for the working matters related to the important steps including the withdrawal of the employees and the temporary suspension of the operations in the zone.

How the situation will develop in the days ahead will entirely depend on the attitude of the south Korean authorities

5th Anniversary of 4 October Declaration Meeting

A view of the participants at a meeting held for the 5th anniversary of the 4 October Declaration at the Central Workers’ Hall on 4 October 2012 (Photo: Rodong Sinmun)

DPRK state media reported on 4 October (Thursday) that a central report meeting for the 5th anniversary of the 4 October Declaration was held at the Central Workers’ Hall in Pyongyang.    Korean Workers’ Party [KWP] Secretary and Director of the United Front Department Kim Yang Gon (Kim Yang-ko’n) attended the meeting, along with the representatives of the DPRK’s two nominal minority parties Ryu Mi Yong, Chairwoman of the Chondoist Chongu Party Central Committee, and Kim Yong Dae, Chairman of the Korea Social Democratic Party Central Committee, and Choe Jin Su, Chairman of the North Headquarters of the Pan-national Alliance for Korea’s Unification and “officials of social organizations, members of the North Side Committee for Implementing the June 15 Joint Declaration, the Pan-national Alliance for Korea’s Reunification and the North Headquarters of the Pan-national Alliance of Youth and Students for Korea’s Reunification, people and students in the city.”

KWP Secretary and Director of the United Front Department Kim Yang Gon (R) attends a meeting held on the 5th anniversary of the 4 October Declaration at the Central Workers’ Hall on 4 October 2012 (Photo: KCNA/KCTV screengrab)

A view of the rostrum at a meeting held on the 5th anniversary of the 4 October Declaration at the Central Workers’ Hall in Pyongyang. In attendance is Ryu Mi Yong (2nd R), Chairwoman of the Chondoist Chongu Party Central Committee (Photo: KCNA/KCTV screengrab)

KCNA reported that Yang Hyong Sop, Vice President of the Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA] and a Member of the KWP Political Bureau, delivered the report.  Yang is also a Presidium (standing committee) Member of the Democratic Front for the Reunification of the Fatherland and a Vice Chairman of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea (formerly known as the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland).  According KCNA Yang said “By adopting the declaration, leader Kim Jong Il gave momentum to the enthusiasm for independent reunification growing at home and abroad, thus bringing about the unprecedented golden days for national reconciliation and unity, he said and went on: After the publication of the declaration contacts and dialogues between the north and the south were activated in politics, economy, military and other fields including a premiers’ meeting and their joint propelling mechanisms were established, giving great spurs to its implementation on a nation- wide scale.”

Vice President of the SPA Presidium Yang Hyong Sop delivers the report at a meeting held on the 5th anniversary of the 4 October Declaration (Photo: KCNA/KCTV screengrab)

In his report Yang also noted that “the exploits for reunification performed by Generalissimos Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il who opened up bright prospects for national prosperity have been reliably carried forward by the dear respected Marshal Kim Jong Un” and according to KCNA Yang claimed that ”Kim Jong Un is firmly defending the Generalissimos’ idea and line for reunification and their undying feats, and encouraging all Koreans to a struggle for reunifying the country.”

Pyongyang Ceremony Commemorates 15 June Declaration

Ceremony held in Pyongyang on 15 June to commemorate the signing of the June 15 Joint Declaration between the DPRK and South Korea (Photo: KCNA)

DPRK and South Korean media reported that Korean Workers’ Party and inter-Korea relations officials gathered in Pyongyang to commemorate the 15 June Declaration.  In a keynote address at the event, Chairman of the North Side Committee for Implementing the June 15 Joint Declaration Kim Ryong Song said “the adoption of the joint declaration provided the Korean people with a programme for reunification clearly indicating the basic principle and goals for settling the issue of Korea’s reunification and the ways to realize them,” according to KCNA.  Yonhap reports:

North Korea held an event in its capital city to mark the 12th anniversary of the June 15 Joint Declaration, its official media outlet picked up in Seoul said on Saturday.

Radio Pyongyang said senior government and party officials met Friday to appeal to all Koreans at home and abroad to revive the declaration reached in 2000 at the summit between South Korean President Kim Dae-jung and North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.

The radio station claimed the declaration is a precious legacy of reunification and patriotism left by the late Kim Jong-il.

Kim died late last year after inheriting power from his father and North Korea’s founder Kim Il-sung in 1994. The reclusive communist country is currently run by Kim Jong-il’s son, Kim Jong-un.

The joint declaration has not received much attention in South Korea since conservative President Lee Myung-bak took office in early 2008. Seoul has consistently called on the North to give up its nuclear program and halt aggression towards the South.

South Korea has effectively halted all aid to the North after Pyongyang was accused of sinking a South Korean warship in the West Sea in March 2010, which left 46 sailors dead.

DPRK Government, KWP and Inter-Korea officials attend a 15 June 2012 ceremony in Pyongyang commemorating the signing of the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration. Among those in attendance are SPA Presidium Vice President Yang Hyong Sop (6th L) and KWP Secretary and Director of the United Front Department Kim Yang Gon (7th L). Yang and Kim both serve as Vice Chairmen of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea. (Photo: KCNA)

KCNA reports:

A meeting took place in Pyongyang on Friday to mark the 12th anniversary of the publication of the June 15 Joint Declaration.

Attending it were Yang Hyong Sop, vice-president of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly who is honorary co-chairman of the North Side Committee for Implementing the June 15 Joint Declaration, Kim Yang Gon, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, Kim Yong Dae, chairman of the Central Committee of the Korean Social Democratic Party, Choe Jin Su, chairman of the North Headquarters of the Pan-National Alliance for Korea’s Reunification, Kang Ji Yong, secretary of the Secretariat of the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea, and officials of working people’s organizations and religious bodies and members of the North Side Committee for Implementing the June 15 Joint Declaration and the North Headquarters of the Pan-national Alliance for Korea’s Reunification, and the North Headquarters of the Pan-national Alliance of Youth and Students for Korea’s Reunification and Pyongyangites, Jo Il Min, chief of the Pyongyang mission of the Anti-Imperialist National Democratic Front, Ro Su Hui, vice-chairman of the South Headquarters of the Pan-national Alliance for Korea’s Reunification, and overseas compatriots.

Kim Ryong Song, chairman of the North Side Committee for Implementing the June 15 Joint Declaration, in his keynote speech said that leader Kim Jong Il provided the north-south summit, the first of its kind in the history of national division in June 2000 and saw to it that the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration was adopted, adding that it is an exploit to be specially recorded in the history of the Korean nation.

The adoption of the joint declaration provided the Korean nation with a programme for reunification clearly indicating the basic principle and goals for settling the issue of Korea’s reunification and the ways to realize them.

Kim Jong Il once again provided the north-south summit in October 2007 and made sure that the October 4 declaration was adopted, ushering in a new heyday of the development of the north-south relations and peace and prosperity.

The dear respected Kim Jong Un is the sun of the nation and lodestar of national reunification as he is leading all Koreans, holding them in his arms with his exceptionally broad magnanimity, generosity and noble benevolent politics and all-embracing politics, he said.

He called for remaining true to Kim Jong Un’s leadership, bearing in mind the firm faith that the cause of national reunification is sure to be achieved as long as the Koreans are under the leadership of Kim Jong Un.

He emphasized the need to once again fully revive the spirit of national independence, the hot wind of national unity and the desire for reunification and patriotism that prevailed in the June 15 era and rise as one in the sacred struggle to wipe out to the last man the Lee Myung Bak group of traitors who are totally negating the north-south joint declarations and going reckless in the moves to escalate confrontation and ignite a nuclear war.

Then, solidarity messages and congratulatory messages from south Korean and overseas organizations were introduced at the meeting.

An appeal to the Koreans at home and abroad was adopted at the meeting.