North, South Korea Fail to Reach Kaesong Deal

An undated file photo showing a general view of the North-South industrial complex in the North Korean city of Kaesong

North and South Korea have failed to reach agreement on reopening Kaesong, a joint industrial estate built as a symbol of reconciliation.

The two countries have agreed to meet again Monday.

"Talks have been concluded without any agreement reached, although both sides concurred on the need for 'constructive development' of the industrial park," Suh Ho, the chief South Korean negotiator, said, according to UPI.

The two sides met five times Wednesday.

Tensions rose sharply on the Korean Peninsula in December after North Korea tested a Taepodong 2 long-range missile and again in February when it carried out its third nuclear test. The UN hit back with sanctions, and the start of joint military drills between South Korea and the United States in March further irritated the North, which threatened to carry out a nuclear attack on the US mainland, as well as on US forces in the region.

In a further sign of escalating tensions between the North and South, Pyongyang suspended from April all operations at the Industrial Complex in the border city of Kaesong and pulled out all of its 53,000 staff working for the 123 South Korean companies.

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