통일부

The U.S. Department of Commerce issued a license for an application for exporting communication equipments into the Gaeseong Industrial Complex (GIC) made by Korea Telecom, a communication provider in the GIC on November 16.

As the issuance of the license allows companies to export communication equipments to the GIC, the environments were formed to provide communication networks there before the end of this year. Through negotiations with the North, the South Korean government plans to pursue installing communication equipments and opening communication networks which are directly connected to the GIC before the end of this year.

With the provision of the communication networks, the GIC will be equipped with basic facilities necessary for enterprises' businesses in the GIC. With the commencement of electricity supply on March 16, the construction of a temporary wastewater disposal facility and the pavement of surrounding roads were completed on April 28 and May 20 respectively.

The completion of the basic facilities is expected to contribute to enhancing the competitiveness of entering businesses in the GIC and removing inconveniences of South Korean personnel working in the GIC. The rates for communication will decrease from U.S. 2.3 dollars to U.S. 0.4 dollars. Through future negotiations with the North, the South Korean government plans to start services of mobile communications and the Internet.

The U.S. approval was a result of close cooperation between South Korea and the U.S., based on their common perception that the GIC project contributes to peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and further in Northeast Asia region. It is the first time for a South Korean company to acquire a license in accordance with the U.S. Export Administration Regulation. The South Korean government plans to pursue negotiations on the GIC project with the U.S. on the basis of its solid and close relationship with the U.S. which was reconfirmed by the U.S. issuance of the license.