South Korean businesses that once operated in in a jointly operated factory park near the North Korean city of Kaesong are filing an accusation against Choi Soon-sil. Photo by Yonhap News Agency/UPI
SEOUL, Nov. 22 (UPI) -- A coalition of South Korean businesses forced to shut down operations at a jointly operated factory park in North Korea is requesting an investigation into Choi Soon-sil, the woman charged with embezzlement and influencing the decisions of President Park Geun-hye.
The committee of activists, who are seeking action after the sudden shutdown, filed an accusation against Choi and requested Seoul prosecutors determine whether Choi intervened in the government decision to close the Kaesong Industrial Complex, local newspaper Kukmin Ilbo reported Tuesday.
In a statement released to reporters, the committee said they trusted the "inevitable decision for national security and national interests" of the government when it announced the closure of Kaesong in February.
"However, according to various media reports, there is now suspicion Choi intervened in the decision to shut down Kaesong and to suspend North-South economic cooperation," the statement read.
The committee said it wants an investigation that will bring to light facts and punish Choi if she is found guilty, according to the report.
The decision to open Kaesong was first made on June 15, 2000, when leaders of the two Koreas met at a historic summit to discuss ways to put aside tensions and rivalry.
The complex was fully operational by late 2004 until Feb. 10 when Seoul unilaterally decided to suspend operations, citing the revenue North Korea earned from South Korean companies was being used to finance its nuclear weapons program.
The factory park was profitable. According to Seoul data, more than $515 million worth of textiles, electronic parts and other goods were produced in 2015.
South Korea's unification ministry has denied any connection to Choi and the decision to suspend operations, Newsis reported.
On Monday ministry spokesman Jeong Joon-hee said the agency is under investigation and that there is no history of Choi's intervention in the Kaesong decision.
