Shop in Changwon only sells goods from Gaeseong complex

By Kim Se-jeong

A store that only sells goods produced at the Gaeseong Industrial Complex has opened in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province.

According to Song Sang-gi, who is involved in the operation of the shop, it sells goods made by 13 companies. The items includes clothes, ceramic ware, shoes, socks, underwear, handkerchiefs, gloves, sesame oil and red pepper powder.

The shop opened on Jan. 10 and has five staffers.

Opened in 2002, the Gaeseong Industrial Complex is a symbol of inter-Korean economic cooperation, but has had its ups and downs, often reflecting the state of inter-Korean relations. A moment of crisis came in April 2013 when souring North-South relations led to the shuttering of the complex for four months.

Song said the opening of the shop was motivated by curiosity.

“I thought this was something no one did. Also, products from those companies are cheaper than goods made here.” He added he is satisfied with sales so far. “It’s not like things are sold out. But surprisingly, the sales are quite decent.”

A total of 124 Korean companies have factories in the complex, including Sinwon, a clothes maker; Taesung Group, a cosmetic container manufacturer, and Namkwang Engineering & Construction, a construction company.