Koreas to discuss operation of Gaeseong Complex

South and North Korea have agreed to hold a meeting next Tuesday in order to assess last month's joint inspection of industrial complexes in China and Vietnam, an official of South Korea's Ministry of Unification said Thursday.

Pyongyang accepted Seoul's proposal to talk about the joint survey results and discuss pending issues regarding the inter-Korean industrial park in the border city of Gaeseong in the North.

"During the meeting at the Gaesedong complex, the two sides will negotiate issues regarding the management of the complex," ministry spokesman Chun Hae-sung told reporters.

Seoul will put problems regarding telecommunication, border-crossings and safety concerns on the table as major agenda items, he added.

On the other hand, North Korea is expected to bring up issues involving wage hikes and land fees.

Nine South Korean officials including Kim Young-tak, a senior representative for inter-Korean talks and chief delegate for the joint survey, are expected to participate in the meeting, while seven North Koreans led by Pak Chol-su are scheduled to take part, Chun said.

Pak is the vice chief of the Special District General Bureau, Pyongyang's agency overseeing the Gaeseong complex.

A 10-member delegation from the two Koreas visited Chinese and Vietnamese industrial parks between Dec. 12 and 22 as part of efforts to upgrade the joint complex.

During the inspection, North Korean officials reportedly paid close attention to wage and insurance systems, while the South Koreans focused more on infrastructure, tax benefits and customs.

Last year, the reclusive state renewed its demand to quadruple the monthly salaries of about 38,000 North Korean workers from the current $70-80 to $300.

The North also asked for a $500 million fee for a 50-year use of the land there.

About 100 South Korean firms are stationed at the Gaeseong site, the last symbol of the reconciliatory efforts of previous administrations.