South Korea says last remaining nationals have left jointly run factory park in North Korea

PAJU, South Korea – South Korea says its last remaining nationals stationed at a jointly run factory park in North Korea have left.

The departure Friday of seven South Koreans who had been negotiating unpaid North Korean wages at the Kaesong industrial complex pushes the rivals’ only major remaining symbol of rapprochement another step closer to closure.

A vehicle carrying cash for the North Korean wages crossed the border ahead of the return by the South Koreans stationed at Kaesong.

The complex just north of the heavily fortified border was launched in 2004 during a previous era of reconciliation.

North Korea suspended operations at Kaesong last month. It was the most significant action taken by North Korea to protest South Korean-U.S. military drills and U.N. sanctions imposed for a February nuclear test.