S.Korea, DPRK agree in principle to reopen joint industrial park

SEOUL, July 7 (Xinhua) -- South Korea and the Democratic People' s Republic of Korea (DPRK) agreed in principle on Sunday to normalize the joint Kaesong industrial complex after around 16 hours of marathon talks.

Seoul and Pyongyang agreed to "reactivate" the industrial zone in the DPRK border town of Kaesong and to hold follow-up talks on July 10 at the Kaesong industrial zone to discuss the way of normalization such as the prevention of recurrence of unilateral shutdown of the industrial park in the future, according to the joint statement posted on the website of South Korean Ministry of Unification.

Both sides also agreed to allow South Korean businessmen to starting inspecting their factories at the indurtial park on July 10 and maintain manufaturing facilities to diminish possible damages during the rainy season.

South Korean companies will be allowed to bring back finished products and materials out of the complex.

Pyongyang agreed to guarantee security of personnel and vehicles of these companies to and from Kaesong.