An association of South Korean companies operating in the Gaeseong Industrial Complex will meet next week to formulate a response to North Korea’s unilateral demand to raise its workers' wages.
 
An official of the Corporate Association of the Gaeseong Industrial Complex said the meeting will take place next Wednesday ahead of the next payday for the workers on April 10.
 
Earlier on Wednesday, a group of 14 members of the association, including its head Jeong Gi-seob, traveled to the industrial park and held two-hour talks on the wage hike demand with officials of the North’s Central Guidance Bureau for Special Zone Development.
 
The South Korean delegation attempted to deliver a proposal urging government-level dialogue, saying operations could halt if the North pushes forward. However, the North refused to receive the proposal.
 
Last November, the North unilaterally revised labor provisions governing the industrial park, including removing the cap on minimum wage increases, and notified the South that it would raise its workers’ wages by five-and-a-half percent on average starting this month.