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On February 10, 2016, the South Korean Ministry of Unification announced that as a result of the recent launching of a long-range missile after a nuclear test, it was shutting down the Gaeseong (also spelled Kaesong) Industrial Complex, which is located in the north and uses North Korean workers and South Korean managers. The announcement said:
To date, the total amount of cash that flowed into North Korea through the Gaeseong Industrial Complex is 616 billion won (560 million dollars), with 132 billion won (120 million dollars) in cash having flowed into North Korea last year alone, and the Government and the private sector have invested a total of 1.019 trillion won. It appears that such funds have not been used to pave the way to peace as the international community had hoped, but rather to upgrade its nuclear weapons and long-range missiles.
The Government has notified the North Korean authorities of the decision t and called on them to extend such cooperation as is rendered necessary by the complete shutdown of the Gaeseong Industrial Complex, including the safe return of South Korean citizens. The Government said it will move expeditiously forward with all steps to ensure the safe return of its citizens, and will set up a Government Task Force under the Office for Government Policy Coordination to provide the necessary whole-of-government assistance to our businesses.
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