The Are entrance to the Japan-Korea Tunnel, which is being dug from the west coast of Tsushima toward Geoje Island in South Korea, was completed on July 15th. An opening ceremony to celebrate the completion and pray for the safety of the construction work to come was held on September 11th at the construction site in Are Shurida, Izuhara-cho, Tsushima City.
The ceremony was held solemnly and magnificently with 100 people in attendance, including local residents and visitors from Korea. On a clear, sunny morning, a Christian consecration ceremony, Shinto and Buddhist purification rites were held, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the mine entrance.
The Chairman then gave a progress report, saying, "We entered Tsushima 30 years ago, and with the support and cooperation of so many people, we have finally reached this day, and for that I would like to express my sincere gratitude. This Alen Tunnel Entrance is the inclined shaft base, which can be said to be the most important heart of the Japan-Korea Tunnel, which crosses the border, and it is the first advance tunnel, or pilot tunnel, to be constructed in the tunnel construction. From now on, construction facilities such as trolley hoisting winches, material storage areas, and warehouses will be lined up in the 200,000 tsubo (approx. 1950 sq. m) plaza." He also expressed his gratitude many times to the local people and Tsushima citizens, as well as to Reverend Sun Myung Moon, who proposed the tunnel concept, and to those who donated money.
In his opening remarks, Chairman Eiji Tokuno said,
"Reverend Sun Myung Moon proposed this 'International Highway/Japan-Korea Tunnel' concept in 1981 as one way to achieve world peace, connecting the world as one through roads. When roads are built, people, goods, and cultures can exchange, and industry and technology can be standardized. He said that roads are the arteries of life, serving as the center of distribution," he said. "As an opportunity to bring Japan-Korea relations and feelings closer, Japan and Korea should work together to make the 50th anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic relations in 2015, the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics a success. After that, there is a high possibility that this Japan-Korea Tunnel will move forward in one go as a national project for both countries. Let's work together toward that hope and make our dreams come true," he said.
The event ended with three cheers from Yoshiharu Kanazawa, chairman of the Kanagawa Prefectural Council for the Promotion of a Japan-Korea Tunnel.
