An association of companies at the Gaesong inter-Korean industrial complex has urged the government to take necessary measures to help them conduct business there without interruption.

Calling the industrial park a civilian project whose fate shouldn't be determined by politics, association chairman Kim Ki-moon declared that the complex should continue to operate normally.

He pointed out that the industrial facility differs from other inter-Korean projects like the Mount Geumgang tours because it was established completely through investment by civilian firms.

He added that the industrial park is operating normally despite Monday's nuclear test. But factories were closed Tuesday to mark a North Korean national holiday.