The government will provide consulting services to South Korean firms operating at the inter-Korean Gaesong Industrial Complex to help them benefit from "outward processing zone" provisions under current and future free trade agreements.

Noting that few firms are using the provision, the Korea Customs Service said it would provide customized service to about 20 companies, focusing in particular on their business models.

It added that the nation’s free trade pacts with the European Union, Singapore and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations already recognize the Gaesong complex as an outward processing zone.