North and South Korea to Hold Talks

North and South Korea have agreed to put their differences aside, at least momentarily, to discuss reopening the manufacturing zone the nations share. The Kaesong Industrial Zone, which sits on the North side of the border but houses factories and other areas of operations for companies from both countries, has been closed since April. Amid ongoing tensions, North Korea started blocking entry for South Koreans, later announcing it would suspend activity in the area, pulling out more than 50,000 of its own workers. Kim Jong-un’s willingness to discuss the complex—which was, before it closed, a key source of revenue for the country—suggests that its closure may have had a harder impact on the North than expected. Specifics about the meeting have yet to be announced, but a statement published by North Korea’s state-run media said, “The venue of the talks and the date for their opening can be set to the convenience of the south side.”