Politics
09:54, 08-Jun-2018
ROK team visits DPRK for preparation of joint liaison office launch
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A group of Republic of Korea (ROK) officials and civilians visited Kaesong, a border city in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Friday to prepare for the opening of a liaison office between the two countries, according to ROK’s Yonhap news agency.
The 14-member team led by ROK Vice Unification Minister Chun Hae-sung crossed the military demarcation line Friday morning and will inspect possible locations and facilities for the liaison office, which will be open as early as this month, Yonhap reports.
"I believe the establishment of the liaison office between South [ROK] and North Korea [DPRK] is the first step in implementing the Panmunjom Declaration and a significant measure for the sustainable development of South-North relations," Chun told reporters before departure.
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"We will thoroughly check the relevant facilities so as to launch the liaison office as soon as possible," Chun was quoted by Yonhap as saying.
During a regular press briefing Friday, ministry spokesman Baik Tae-hyun said that one of the team's main tasks is to check the facilities necessary for daily work and life for South Korean personnel to be stationed in Kaesong once the liaison office starts its operations.
The establishment of a joint liaison office was approved under the Panmunjom Declaration following a historic leader summit between ROK President Moon Jae-in and DPRK leader Kim Jong Un on April 27.
(Cover Photo: South Korean officials leave for the DPRK for the launch of a joint liaison office in Kaesong Joint Industrial Complex, at the CIQ in Paju, South Korea, June 8, 2018. /Reuters Photo)