South Korea Withdraws Workers From Jointly Owned Factory Complex in North Korea

North Korea rejected possible talks on the complex

PYONGYANG, North Korea –  Seoul said Friday that it has decided to withdraw the roughly 175 South Koreans still at a jointly run factory complex in North Korea, raising a major question about the survival of the last symbol of inter-Korean cooperation.

The statement by the country's minister in charge of inter-Korean relations came after North Korea rejected Seoul's demand for talks on the factory park that has been closed nearly a month.