The construction of South Korean factories in North Korea's newly built industrial complex at the border city of Gaesong is picking up pace, raising expectations that first products may roll out of the production line as early as this month.

The Unification Ministry said Thursday that, of the 15 South Korean firms to do business in the initial pilot complex, five are in the course of building factories, while one Seoul-based kitchenware manufacturer, Livingart, has already completed construction.

A ministry official said Livingart's products will bear the marking of "Made in DPRK," short for "Democratic People's Republic of Korea," the official title of communist North Korea.