Operations Restarting At Joint Korean Industrial Zone

North and South Korean delegates shake hands during a meeting at the Kaesong industrial complex on September 11.

The industrial zone jointly operated by North and South Korea has reopened, five months after it was closed due to political tensions.

Reports said a long line of vehicles began crossing the North Korean border early on September 16, heading to the jointly run Kaesong industrial complex.

Reports said more than 800 South Korean managers and workers were due to travel to Kaesong to oversee the restarting of operations.

The industrial zone, located just inside North Korea, is a key source of revenue for Pyongyang.

The complex is home to some 120 South Korean factories employing 53,000 North Koreans.

It was closed in April when Pyongyang barred South Koreans entry to the park and shortly afterward withdrew its workforce.

The move followed annual military drills between Seoul and Washington.

Based on reporting by AFP, dpa, and AP