"Opportunity to Resume Kaesong Industrial Complex Operations"—Former Presidents of the Kaesong Industrial Complex Enterprises Association Urge North Korea–US Summit

[Financial News] The Korea Federation of SMEs (KBIZ) announced on the 27th that it held a roundtable at Somerset Palace Seoul with Chung Dong-young, Minister of Unification, and former presidents of the Kaesong Industrial Complex Enterprises Association.
Attendees included Ki-Moon Kim, Chairman of KBIZ and the first president of the Kaesong Industrial Complex Enterprises Association; Moon Chang-seop, Chairman of Samduk Corporation (second president); Bae Hae-dong, Chairman of Taesung Group and TONYMOLY (fourth president); and Lee Jae-cheol, CEO of JESCOM (ninth president), among other former association leaders.
The meeting was organized to gather on-site opinions from the SME sector and to discuss policy responses for the resumption of the Kaesong Industrial Complex and the revitalization of inter-Korean economic cooperation, in line with Minister Chung Dong-young’s recent emphasis on the 'phased restoration of peaceful coexistence and economic cooperation.'
Participants stated that, "If a summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un takes place on the occasion of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting, it could pave the way for North Korea–U.S. dialogue to lead to inter-Korean talks, creating an opportunity to reactivate the Kaesong Industrial Complex and boost inter-Korean economic cooperation." They also decided to hold a press conference at KBIZ on the 28th to urge for the North Korea–US summit and the revitalization of inter-Korean economic cooperation.
According to a KBIZ survey, 87.2% of companies operating in the Kaesong Industrial Complex rated its economic performance as 'positive.' Eight out of ten companies expressed a desire to return to the complex.
Ki-Moon Kim, Chairman of KBIZ, remarked, "Inter-Korean economic cooperation can restore the manufacturing base for SMEs and open new pathways for the Korean economy." He added, "KBIZ will serve as a bridge for public–private cooperation together with the Ministry of Unification."

stand@fnnews.com Seo Ji-yoon Reporter