March 28, 2024
Interviews

‘I didn’t even get to say goodbye’: South Koreans remember Kaesong’s sudden end

Five years ago, the Kaesong Industrial Complex shut down and sent thousands of North and South Koreans packing

Kim Seo-jin still remembers the day he frantically packed his bags and exited the Kaesong Industrial Complex after years of working alongside North Korean laborers.

“We shared the workplace for almost 10 years and, at the end, I didn’t even get to say goodbye,” he bitterly recalled, with a sigh. “I still think about the North Koreans that we used to see every day. I wonder how they are doing, if the youngsters ever got married — where they are working these days.”

Become a member for less than $4 per week.

  • Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis
  • The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop
  • Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns
  • Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting
Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts.
Subscribe now

All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time.