Yeah, reunification my ass. It’s safe to say that are just trying to prevent the North from collapsing because the corporations that own them don’t want their earnings to be affected. They can also forget about profiting from the North Korean cheap labor after reunification (ironic that this supposed ‘workers paradise’ could cost thousands of jobs in South Korea if the US formalizes its relations with North Korea).

To put it simply, much has the South Korean economy grown since the beginning of the ‘Sunshine Policy’?

I presume the “Kaesong section of the Unification Ministry’s homepage” is somewhere in here?

http://unikorea.go.kr/english/

Their English language pages are impeccably written. I see they solve the government nomenclature problem by using “North and South” to refer to themselves (instead of the offical names). Logical, but simple-minded foreigners like me need to see it for ourselves.

The link in the left hand column entitled “The Kaesong Industrial Complex” (under “Hot issues”) seems to consist of 92 separate documents; I didn’t look at any to see about editing for wordage, but instead looked over this document, the latest one listed. Sections 5 and 6 appear specifically relevant to Gaesong:

http://unikorea.go.kr/english/.....n_uid=2182
(quote)
Results of the 2007 South-North Declaration (dated 5 Oct 07)

The Declaration on the Advancement of South-North Korean Relations, Peace and Prosperity, signed by South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun and North Korean Chairman Kim Jong Il of the National Defense Commission, has opened a new era of peace and prosperity in the inter-Korean relations.

Through signing the Declaration, President Roh and Chairman Kim have reconfirmed their firm will for the establishment of peace on the Korean Peninsula and denuclearization of the peninsula. The two leaders agreed to speed up the construction of a common economic bloc for the South and the North to seek co-prosperity through economic cooperation in various fields.

The Declaration has paved a way for institutionalizing the Inter-Korean relations to move forward the South-North relationship.

1. Positive implementation of the June 15 Joint Declaration

The South and the North agreed to adhere to the basic spirit of the June 15, 2000 Joint Declaration and positively translate it into action. They will achieve the reunification of the motherland independently on the basis of inter-Korean national solidarity and the dignity and interests of the Korean people. They will seek ways of honoring the June 15 Joint Declaration.

2. Developing Inter-Korean Relations into those of Mutual Respect and Trust

The South and the North have agreed to commit themselves to developing inter-Korean relations on the basis of mutual respect and trust, transcending differences in ideology and systems. They have also agreed not to intervene in each other’s internal affairs; to resolve all issues in the interest of reconciliation, cooperation and reunification; to revise their legal and institutional systems, and seek talks and contacts on a sector-by-sector basis, such as joint sessions of the national assemblies.

3. Reducing Military Tension and Building Trust

The South and the North agreed to work closely together to end their hostile military relations, reducing tension and securing peace on the Korean Peninsula. They agreed to ease military tensions, resolve disputes through dialogue and negotiations, oppose war on the Peninsula, and adhere strictly to their commitment to nonaggression. They will hold a defense ministers’ meeting in Pyongyang in November to discuss military confidence-building measures.

4. Cooperation on the Implementation of the February 13 Agreement of the Six-Party Talks & Establishment of a Peace Regime

The South and the North both recognize the need to end the current armistice regime and build a permanent peace regime. The South and the North agreed to work together with other countries directly involved in this matter to declare an end to the Korean War and implement the February 13 Agreement and the September 19 Joint Declaration, both regarding the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, smoothly.

5. Expansion and Advancement of Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation/Creation of a Special Peace and Cooperation Zone in the West Sea

The South and the North agreed to facilitate, expand, and further develop inter-Korean economic cooperation projects continuously; to promote economic cooperation through investments, infrastructure projects, natural resources development; and to give preferential treatment to each other in consideration of the special nature of inter-Korean cooperation. The two Koreas will create a “special peace and cooperation zone in the West Sea,” expedite the completion of the first-phase construction of the Gaeseong Industrial Complex, promptly start the second-stage projects in the complex, and open freight rail services to the GIC. Other cooperative measures will include improving personnel transportation, communication, and customs clearance procedures, repairing the Gaeseong-Sinuiju rail link and the Gaeseong-Pyongyang expressway, building joint shipyards in Anbyeon and Nampo, and pursuing joint projects related to agriculture, health and medical services and environmental protection. They will also upgrade the status of the existing Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation Promotion Committee to a Joint Committee for Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation, headed by deputy prime ministers.

On the occasion of the summit, the Korean government will strive to turn short-term or one-time economic cooperative projects into long-term interactive ones.

The economic cooperation measures will allow the two Koreas to promote mutual interests, thus helping cement peace on the Korean Peninsula. Pursuing economic growth in both the South and the North via inter-Korean economic cooperative projects, the two sides aim to forge an economic community.

6. Promotion of Mutual Growth Through Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation

Recognizing that Inter-Korean economic cooperation is integral in promoting mutual interests and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula, the two leaders agreed to facilitate, expand, and further develop inter-Korean economic cooperation projects in accordance with the principles of common interest, co-prosperity and mutual aid.

In addition, the two leaders agreed that military concerns will not stand in the way of inter-Korean cooperation projects, thus allowing immediate implementation of various projects that have been on hold because of military considerations. They also agreed on military guarantees regarding economic cooperation projects specified under the Declaration for the Advancement of South-North Korea, Peace and Prosperity.

Through the follow-up measures of the agreements, the government will further promote mutual understanding and exchanges. Based on this, the government plans to create a stable, business-friendly environment.

7. Promotion of Exchanges and Cooperation in Social and Cultural Areas

The South and the North agreed to boost exchanges and cooperation in history, language, education, science and technology, culture and arts, and sports. In the area of tourism, the two Koreas will open tours to Mt. Baekdu and open nonstop flight services between Seoul and Mt. Baekdu for this purpose. A South-North joint cheering squad will be sent to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, using the Seoul-Sinuiju Railway Line on the way to Beijing.

8. Promotion of Humanitarian Cooperation Projects

The South and the North agreed to promote humanitarian projects; to expand reunions of separated family members and their relatives and promote exchanges of video messages; to station resident representatives from each side at the reunion center to be established in Mt. Geumgang. The two sides will positively cooperate in times of natural disasters and other emergencies.

9. Joint Efforts on the International Arena

The South and the North agreed to increase cooperation to promote the interests of all Koreans and the rights and interests of overseas Koreans on the international stage.
(unquote)