North Korea has announced it will increase the wages of workers at the Kaesong Industrial Complex, the joint business park between North and South Korea, according to a statement from the Ministry of Unification (MOU) on February 26.

The minimum wage in the business zone increased by 5 percent to $74 per month, bringing the total earnings, including social insurance, to just over $160.

According to the MOU, North Korea announced the minimum wage without any previous negotiations.

“The Ministry of Unification expressed its regret to North Korea (that there were no negotiations), but North Korea rejected this,” a spokesperson