Pyongang vowed to immediately deport hundreds of South Korean workers from the city of Kaesong, which lies in its territory across the heavily militarised border. State media reported that tens of thousands of North Korean employees would also be pulled out, with South Korean assets frozen and cross-border communications shut down.
Dozens of lorries were seen returning south over the border on Thursday, laden with goods and equipment, and workers were leaving. Some South Koreans had left Kaesong before the North's announcement but South Korean officials weren't certain whether all its nationals had departed by Pyongyang's deadline at 5. The South's Unification Ministry said about South Koreans had planned to enter Kaesong on Thursday to begin shutdown work and that nearly 70 who had been staying there would be departing.
Thousands of North Koreans are also being pulled out of Kaesong, which was a vital symbol of fragile co-operation between the two countries, who have technically been at war since their creation at the end of the Korean War in It is difficult.
South Korea previously pulled workers from Kaesong for five months in following a series of military drills. You can find our Community Guidelines in full here. Want to discuss real-world problems, be involved in the most engaging discussions and hear from the journalists? Start your Independent Premium subscription today. Independent Premium Comments can be posted by members of our membership scheme, Independent Premium.
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