Gaeseong complex to hire more experts for internalization

Expert personnel such as a lawyer and public relations specialist are to be hired to help transform the inter-Korean factory park in Gaeseong into an international business hub, the committee in charge of running the industrial complex said Sunday.

According to the Gaeseong Industrial District Management Committee (KIDMAC) that handles everyday operations at the industrial park, the hiring process is underway to pick experienced people to handle various matters that may crop up at the special economic zone.

“A PR specialist will work from Gaeseong and assist KIDMAC to better advertise the complex as well as arrange for investor relations events,” a committee source said. He added that a lawyer is also being recruited to provide legal counsel in case a South Korean worker is accused of violating North Korean laws or rules.

Such services are vital if Gaeseong is to attract investors from outside of South Korea.

All operations at Gaeseong, just north of the demilitarized zone that separates the two Koreas, were halted in early April after the North, citing provocations from Seoul, pulled out all of its workers assigned to the 123 factories run by South Korean companies. The complex was reopened on Sept. 16 after the North agreed not to disrupt operations for non-political reasons and concurred on the need to internationalize Gaeseong so foreign companies can set up factories.

To attract foreign investment and prevent another work stoppage, Seoul and Pyongyang are in the process of reforming rules governing travel, communications, customs and rights of workers as well as making a joint effort to reach out to prospective investors.

Under an agreement reached on Aug. 28, the two sides are obliged to hold talks on investment protection, internationalization, rules governing people staying in Gaeseong, and travel and communication issues every month, although the North avoided such talks in October.

It has since agreed to convene three subcommittees on Wednesday and Thursday, which will permit the two Koreas to tackle outstanding issues directly linked to the running of the complex. (Yonhap News)