Unification Minister Lee Jae-joung says that the Gaesong Industrial Complex's designation as an “outward processing zone” could come earlier than proposed in the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement.

The two sides agreed to establish a committee to discuss the designation as an annex to the trade deal reached last Monday.

The unification minister noted that the concept of outward processing zone could also include other prospective special inter-Korean economic zones in the North.

He went on to say that the trade pact will not only further promote relations between Seoul and Washington but also play a key role in improving inter-Korean relations.

In addition, he said the normalization of ties between North Korea and the United States would accelerate the establishment of a regional peace regime, noting at the same time that a peace treaty would have to precede such a change.