By Lee Min-hyung
Seoul has set up legal grounds to support firms with businesses in North Korea's Gaeseong Industrial Complex, as part of efforts to facilitate inter-Korean economic exchanges, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said Thursday.
"On Sept. 21, the city promulgated an ordinance to provide support for companies to join the complex, in a move to make sure their business activities remain stable there and promote inter-Korean exchanges and partnerships," the local government said in a statement.
The decision was made a day after President Moon Jae-in finished his three-day visit to Pyongyang last week for the third summit with Kim Jong-un.
Under the new legal background, the city will create a special committee dedicated to supporting South Korean firms that conduct business at the complex in the North's border city.
The committee will also draw up comprehensive roadmaps for the companies' smooth operations and rapid growth at the complex, the city government said.
The move is in line with Kim Jong-un's keen interest in economic growth. During the recent inter-Korean summit, Kim expressed his strong willingness to stop engaging in any activities that intensify military tension on the Korean Peninsula and shift his focus into the regime's economic development.
On a recent visit to New York, President Moon also underlined that Kim Jong-un shares his firm determination for economic growth.
"The North Korean leader expressed his strong desire for the North's economic prosperity," Moon said in a speech Wednesday while attending a diplomatic event there.
"I believe Kim Jong-un is sincere enough to give up nuclear weapons for the regime's economic growth if the U.S. guarantees the North's safety and provides trust," Moon said.
Seoul has set up legal grounds to support firms with businesses in North Korea's Gaeseong Industrial Complex, as part of efforts to facilitate inter-Korean economic exchanges, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said Thursday.
"On Sept. 21, the city promulgated an ordinance to provide support for companies to join the complex, in a move to make sure their business activities remain stable there and promote inter-Korean exchanges and partnerships," the local government said in a statement.
The decision was made a day after President Moon Jae-in finished his three-day visit to Pyongyang last week for the third summit with Kim Jong-un.
Under the new legal background, the city will create a special committee dedicated to supporting South Korean firms that conduct business at the complex in the North's border city.
The committee will also draw up comprehensive roadmaps for the companies' smooth operations and rapid growth at the complex, the city government said.
The move is in line with Kim Jong-un's keen interest in economic growth. During the recent inter-Korean summit, Kim expressed his strong willingness to stop engaging in any activities that intensify military tension on the Korean Peninsula and shift his focus into the regime's economic development.
On a recent visit to New York, President Moon also underlined that Kim Jong-un shares his firm determination for economic growth.
"The North Korean leader expressed his strong desire for the North's economic prosperity," Moon said in a speech Wednesday while attending a diplomatic event there.
"I believe Kim Jong-un is sincere enough to give up nuclear weapons for the regime's economic growth if the U.S. guarantees the North's safety and provides trust," Moon said.
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