The inter-Korean Gaeseong Industrial Complex in North Korea has entered its ninth year of operation.

The Unification Ministry said since opening in 2003, the industrial park has developed into a complex producing an annual 400 million dollars worth of goods as of last year. It added that currently 123 South Korean companies operate on the premises with 51-thousand North Korean workers.

A ministry official said despite the May 24th economic sanctions against the North after the sinking of the South's naval vessel Cheonan, activity at Gaeseong has been growing. The official explained that infrastructure projects such as repairing streets for North Koreans to commute and building firefighting stations and emergency medical facilities are under way as planned.