The Ministry of Unification said there are 163 South Koreans at the complex, located just north of the demilitarized zone (DMZ) that separates the two Koreas. On average, there are some 800 South Korean nationals at the site, which remains the only economic link between the two Koreas at present.
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The total number of people is much smaller than usual because North Korea's Lunar New Year Holiday runs through Tuesday and many of the 123 South Korean businesses are closed. There was no movement of personnel and materials over the DMZ during the day in observation of the long holiday period.
"There are no plans to take action against the complex (for the nuclear test) that remains an important asset in cross-border ties," said a ministry official, who declined to be identified.
Pyongyang detonated a 6-7 kiloton nuclear device just before noon in defiance of international pressure to halt provocative actions. The move is expected to compel the global community to push for additional sanctions.
The ministry used its emergency contact system to check the safety of Korean nationals and issued orders to warn people at the complex against making remarks or engaging in activities that could cause unnecessary friction, said the official.
The ministry, meanwhile, set up a situation room to keep close tabs on developments taking place at Kaesong. Policymakers said they are carefully monitoring developments and checking to see if normal movement of personnel and materials resume unhindered on Wednesday.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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