N. Korea says it will permit S. Korean entrepreneurs to visit Gaeseong complex

North Korea said Wednesday it will allow South Korean businessmen to visit their plants in a suspended joint industrial complex in its territory, a move that may help open dialogue between the two divided Korean states.

The joint industrial complex in the North's border city of Kaesong remains closed since early April when North Korea withdrew all of its 53,000 workers hired by 123 South Korean plants there.

South Korea subsequently pulled out all of its manpower there.

"(The North) has decided to allow South Korean businessmen to visit the Gaeseong complex so that they can take emergency steps against possible damages of facilities and materials there during the rainy season," said a North Korean message conveyed to South Korea through the border village of Panmunjom.

South Korea's Unification Ministry said the North Korean message was addressed to the organization representing companies with plants in Gaeseong and a group of Southern officials who worked there to support them.

In the message, North Korea said it will take necessary steps, including cross-border passages and communications, if and when it is notified of a date for their visit, the ministry said.

South Korea will review the North's proposal and convey its response shortly, it said.

The North's move comes after a group of South Korean companies with plants in Gaeseong said they would relocate their production facilities to South Korea or third countries unless prompt actions are taken to reopen the complex.

(Yonhap News)