North Korea has released an order to eject South Korean companies and workers from Gaesong Industrial Complex after the South Korean government announced that they are pulling out their companies in the area.
Gaesong Industrial Complex is one of the few places where both North and South Koreans work together for the benefit of both sides. According to Korea Times, South Korea benefited from the cheap labor offered by North Korea while the latter receives payment for the work of their 54,000 workers.
However, North Korea's move in January when they tested a Hydrogen bomb launched through a rocket and put a satellite into the orbit caused South Korea to give counter attack through releasing an order to withdraw their companies from Gaesong.
South Korea's move is reportedly intended to deprive North Korea of cash to continue their weapons program. Furthermore, according to Reuters, the South's move did not please the North.
"Unpardonable is the puppet group's act of totally suspending the operation in (Kaesong), finding fault with the DPRK's H-bomb test and launch of a satellite", the North's Committee for Peaceful Reunification of Korea stated.
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), North Korea's official name, added that they are sealing off the area from the factory park to the near demilitarized zone. They also promised to freeze the assets of South Korea.
According to Bloomberg, Gaesong Industrial Complex was one of the largest sources of funds for the isolated North Korea. Gaesong has produced 616 billion won since it was opened a decade ago. It also provided 132 billion won to North Korea last year.
North Korea set a deadline of 5pm for South Korea to vacate the area ordering them not to bring anything other than their personal belongings. According to the underwear company, Cotton Club, three of their employees were left in the area with unknown whereabouts while another company, SNG, said that two of their employees were still in Gaesong.
Current status of North Korea and South Korea is not expected to get better soon and might head to become more sour for some time, according to a member of the Korea Institute for National Unification.
