US Likely to Shift Existing Attitude on Gaesung Goods
US Ambassador to Seoul Alexander Vershbow stated that the current US stance on Gaesung goods could be shifted. During Korean-US FTA talks, US has substantially taken a rigid negative stance on goods produced in a joint industrial complex in the North Korean border city of Gaesung as South Korean products.
During a meeting with Korean Unification Minister Lee Jae-jung, when asked to consider Gaesung goods produced in the joint industrial complex as South Korean products, he replied, “It is unrealistic for the US to consider the goods produced in the joint industrial complex as South Korean products, but if circumstances change, the US will review the demand.”
The Ambassador has not unveiled what kind of circumstances would have to shift in detail, but analysts forecast that if the current frozen relationship between Washington and Pyongyang is relieved through the six-party talks and the North’s nuclear issue is dramatically resolved, the US intends to review the request.
Some political analysts said that everything depends on the upcoming six-party talks in Beijing. A positive sign for Seoul is that, prior to leaving for Japan, Chief US nuclear envoy Christopher Hill said that the six nations are likely to make substantial progress during the talks. He did not even shun replying that he intends to visit the North if it benefits the US.
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 / 입력시간: 2007. 02.08. 09:14
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