Jeong Dong-young, Member of the Democratic Party of Korea./Courtesy of News1

The Korea Federation of Small and Medium Enterprises noted on the 24th that with the appointment of Jeong Dong-young, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, as the first Minister of the Unification Ministry under the Lee Jae-myung government, he is "the right person to lead the resumption of inter-Korean economic cooperation projects."

KBIZ mentioned in a commentary that "Candidate Jeong Dong-young has experience playing a key role in establishing and initially operating the Kaesong Industrial Complex while serving as Minister of the Unification Ministry during the Roh Moo-hyun administration."

It continued, saying, "The Kaesong Industrial Complex has provided more favorable conditions for small and medium-sized enterprises by utilizing a labor force with similar culture and language and by producing 'Made in Korea' products," and added, "More than 90% of resident companies still wish to reoccupy the complex."

It stated, "In a situation where the business environment for small and medium-sized enterprises is deteriorating due to intensified domestic and foreign competition and the influx of low-priced imported products, the resumption of the Kaesong Industrial Complex will contribute to enhancing the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises through cost reduction," and noted, "The small and medium-sized enterprise sector will actively cooperate with the government to revitalize inter-Korean economic cooperation, including the Kaesong Industrial Complex, if Candidate Jeong Dong-young is appointed."

The presidential office nominated Jeong as the Minister of the Unification Ministry. Kang Hoon, the presidential secretary, explained during a briefing the previous day that he is "a person with abundant experience and a firm philosophy on peace on the Korean Peninsula," and described him as "the right person to create conditions for dialogue with North Korea and to find a breakthrough for easing tensions on the Korean Peninsula."

Candidate Jeong, a native of Sunchang in North Jeolla Province, graduated from Jeonju High School and the Department of History at Seoul National University, and began his career as a journalist at MBC. He entered politics in 1996 as a member of the 15th National Assembly and led the Kaesong Industrial Complex project while serving as Minister of the Unification Ministry during the Roh Moo-hyun government from 2004 to 2005.

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