“Made in Korea” for Gaesong Products in South Korean Market

Products produced in the Gaesong Industrial Complex starting February 2005, at the earliest, will have tags indicating its origin as “Made in Korea” or “Made in Korea (Gaesong).” The origin is currently marked as “Gaesong Industrial Complex.”

The Customs Service said Tuesday that it will make a bill for official announcement regarding vehicle clearance and products carried in and out of the Gaesong Industrial Complex based on opinions of concerned ministries on January 15, 2005.

According to the bill, the Customs Service allows a tag of “Made in Korea” or “Made in Korea (Gaesong)” to be placed on products which will be made in the Gaesong Industrial Complex, using materials that are manufactured and provided by South Korea.

Also, the Customs Service made it mandatory that the clearance of products from Gaesong should be dealt within the area near the Dorasan Rail Station, the northernmost station of Gyeongui Railroad, located in the area—where civilian activities are still prohibited—of Dorasan-ri, Paju of Gyeonggi Province. Also, products will have to be delivered by containers or cargo trucks with roofs.

“It is hard to find a contact channel with North Korea for discussing the bill. Besides, the origin tag is usually considered the right of the importer in the international trade. So, I think the North will respect the decision of the South Korean government,” said a concerned person with the Customs Service.

Meanwhile, Living Art is expected to bring in 1,000 pots manufactured in Gaesong in December 27, and will make them available at departments in Seoul around the middle of next month.

Jae-Seong Hwang jsonhng@donga.com