Complex boasts over 10,000 North Korean workers

Institute for Far Eastern Studies (IFES)

The Unification Ministry said on December 22 that North Korean workers at the Kaesong (Gaeseong) comlex numbered over 10,000, up from 5,719 in November of last year. The ministry projected that the number will be over 11,000 by the end of this year.

The value of products made at the complex last month grew from US$2.94 million in November 2005 to $8.86 million in November this year. The monthly value produced per worker stood at $1,143 as of last month, up from $737 during the same month last year. Exports from the complex also skyrocketed 17-fold, from November 2005’s figure of $130,000 to last month’s figure of $2.42 million.

Institute for Far Eastern Studies (IFES)

The growth in both sectors is reportedly attributable to the expansion of the number of factories operating there. While there were just 10 factories housed at the complex last year, 18 factories are currently operating there.

(Hankyoreh, December 23, 2006)