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Seoul to Keep Business Ventures in North

Despite the passage of international sanctions which are meant to deny the Democratic People`s Republic of Korea, better known as North Korea, vital funds which are likely being siphoned off into nuclear programs, South Korea has announced that it will not be reevaluating, at this time, cooperative projects with the North falling under the so-called "sunshine" policy of the Republic of Korea`s government.

Despite the passage of international sanctions which are meant to deny the Democratic People`s Republic of Korea, better known as North Korea, vital funds which are likely being siphoned off into nuclear programs, South Korea has announced that it will not be reevaluating, at this time, cooperative projects with the North falling under the so-called "sunshine" policy of the Republic of Korea`s government. South Korea`s Unification Minister apologized for the "sunshine" policy`s failure following the October 9 test by Pyongyang of a small nuclear weapon.

China, a traditionally staunch ally of North Korea, also has business interests with the government of dictator Kim Jong-il and will not be canceling any of those at the moment. However, North Korea`s nuclear test - coupled with missile tests in July and skirmishes along the border between the People`s Liberation Army (of China) and the Korean People`s Army (of North Korea) - has sparked a reappraisal in Beijing of past unflinching support of the North Koreans.