South and North Korea are set to hold on Wednesday an opening ceremony of a management office at the industrial complex being built in the North Korean border city of Gaesong.

South Korean officials say the new office will take care of all details regarding permits, real estate, security, license issuance, fire fighting, and environmental protection as well as basic maintenance of infrastructure and utilities, including water, electricity and communications. The office is to also serve as Seoul's liaison body in the North's economic enclave.

The office will be housed temporarily in a building in the pilot site of the industrial complex until a permanent building is constructed later in 2007 when the first stage of the complex is to be completed.