South Korean firms operating at the inter-Korean industrial complex in Gaeseong, North Korea, have rejected the North’s demands for a wage increase.

Currently, the firms pay monthly wages of about 75 U.S. dollars to each North Korean worker they employ.

The South Korean companies said the North's demand of 300 U.S. dollars in monthly wages for North Korean laborers is unrealistic. The firms noted that they are already running a deficit due to a sharp drop in orders amid the economic crisis.

The companies said including other costs, 110 dollars per month per North Korean worker is spent, which they say is higher than the wage level in Vietnam and only slightly less than in parts of China.

They warned that if they are required to pay monthly wages of 300 dollars to workers, then most of the firms will pull out from the complex.

Meanwhile, South Korean businesses in Gaeseong said Friday they will soon ask the Seoul government for emergency funding to help their worsening financial situations.