By Kim Sue-young
Staff Reporter

South and North Korea will send a joint team to inspect industrial complexes in China and Vietnam in mid-December, according to the Ministry of Unification, Thursday.

The survey is aimed at benchmarking industrial zones in Third World countries and learning lessons to develop the joint Gaeseong Industrial Complex in North Korea.

``The government recently agreed with North Korea to conduct a 10-day joint inspection of industrial complexes in China and Vietnam,'' ministry spokesman Chun Hae-sung told reporters. ``About 20 people, 10 from each side, will make the inspection.''

But details about the itinerary and participants have yet to be fixed and the two Koreas will hold further discussions, he added.

Earlier, South Korea proposed the joint survey during inter-Korean talks last June to discuss the management of the joint complex.

The North urged the South to quadruple the monthly salary for 38,000 North Korea workers from the current $70-80 to $300.

Pyongyang also asked for $500 million rent for use of the land for 50 years.

The joint survey team is scheduled to learn about successfully run complexes in the two countries and their systems, including immigration and customs.

The results are expected to form the basis to assess North Korea's requests and determine whether or not to accept them.

The Gaeseong complex is the last symbol of reconciliatory efforts during a decade of previous liberal administrations.

Currently, more than 100 South Korean firms have plants in the joint industrial zone but have difficulties running their factories due to political ups and downs.

Previously, North Korea restricted border crossings in retaliation for the incumbent conservative administration's stance toward its regime.

Some conservative civic groups fueled the North's anger by sending fliers attached to giant balloons across the border criticizing North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's dictatorship.

On Dec. 1 of last year, the reclusive state decreased the number of people and vehicles allowed to cross its border from the South to 750 and 450 a day, respectively, before relaxing restrictions recently.

ksy@koreatimes.co.kr