South Korean officials and civilians visited North Korea on Friday to prepare for the opening of a joint liaison office to be established at the Gaeseong Industrial Complex.

The 14-member delegation led by Vice Unification Minister Chun Hae-sung visited the inter-Korean industrial park to inspect possible locations and facilities for the office. 

In a meeting with the press at the Inter-Korean transit office, Chun said that setting up the joint liaison office would be an important stepping stone in carrying out the Panmunjeom Declaration. Regarding concerns on the state of the Gaeseong Industrial Complex, Chun said that this visit was focused on preparing for the liaison office. 

The trip marks the first time South Koreans have visited the industrial park since February 2016, when Seoul shut the complex following the North's missile and nuclear provocations.

[Photo : YONHAP News]