EconomyJune 2003 – February 2016

Kaesong Industrial Complex

After the June 15 Declaration, an industrial zone combining southern capital and technology with northern land and labour was built at Kaesong.

The Kaesong Industrial Region (left) and Kaesong city seen from the South, 2015
Chris · CC BY 2.0 · Source

As part of the economic cooperation following the June 15 Declaration, construction began in June 2003 and the first products came out in December 2004. South Korean firms built factories staffed by North Korean workers, and reconnection of the Gyeongui and East Sea railway lines was also pursued.

In February 2016, after a North Korean nuclear test and long-range missile launch, the South Korean government shut the complex down completely.

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States and rulers at the time: South Korea — President Roh Moo-hyun
North Korea — Supreme Leader Kim Jong Il
Places: Kaesong Industrial Complex

People

Roh Moo-hyun1946 – 2009
related figure · 16th President (2003–2008). Held the second inter-Korean summit in Pyongyang in 2007 and issued the October 4 Declaration
Park Geun-hye1952
related figure · 18th President (2013–2017), removed from office by the Constitutional Court’s impeachment ruling in March 2017

Before and after

Earlier: 2002 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan
Later: 2005 Abolition of the Hoju System

Themes that include this event

Changing Unification Policies1948 – 2018
From “march north” to the Panmunjom Declaration — inter-Korean relations from confrontation to dialogue, through joint statements and agreements to summits (up to 2018)
GaeseongAD 901 – 2003
From Wang Geon, lord of Songak, to the Kaesong Industrial Complex — Gaegyeong, Goryeo’s capital for five centuries, and home of the Song merchants