S.Korea, DPRK agree on joint survey to industrial zones

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea and South Korea will send a joint survey team next month to industrial zones in China and Vietnam. The delegation's task is to study ways to improve their joint manufacturing park.

Pyongyang recently accepted Seoul's proposal to jointly examine business conditions at foreign industrial zones to improve the industrial park in the DPRK border city of Kaesong.

The manufacturing zone is the most prominent symbol of inter-Korean cooperation, but has often suffered setbacks due to political tensions. The survey team will be comprised of 10 officials from each side, and is expected to make a 10-day trip in mid-December.

Chun Hae Sung, Spokesman of South Korean Unification Ministry, said "Our government believes that the upcoming survey will contribute to forming a consensus between South and North on the need for stable development of the Kaesong complex. Also, we hope that it will give the Kaesong Industrial District the opportunity to develop as a industrial complex with international competitiveness."