Kim In-ho, president of the Korea Trade Association, who calls himself the ``Korea-Japan Tunnel Evangelist'' and the ``Korea-Japan Economic Community Missionary'', has been making efforts in various fields to improve the relationship between the two countries while traveling back and forth between Korea and Japan. There is. Chairman Kim gave a special lecture at Waseda University in Japan on April 18, emphasizing the need for economic integration between South Korea and Japan for the future of East Asia.
On this day, Chairman Kim gave a lecture at Waseda University's Ibuka Memorial Hall to more than 200 students and faculty members on ``The recognition and role of young intellectuals from both countries for the mutual prosperity of South Korea and Japan in the 21st century.''
In his speech, Chairman Kim emphasized, ``During our more than 1,500 years of history, economic prosperity has been sustained when our two countries have had a relationship of mutual benefit and cooperation,'' adding, ``Both countries share the ideals of democracy, market economy, and international cooperation.'' Therefore, in line with the demands of the times to form an East Asian economic zone, we must work toward achieving economic integration and cooperation toward the vision of a Korea-Japan community."
He also cited ▲concluding the Korea-Japan Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, ▲reviving the Korea-Japan economic ministerial talks, ▲creating regular policy dialogue channels, and ▲expanding private-sector exchanges as measures for Korea-Japan co-prosperity. .
Prior to this, Chairman Kim attracted attention for his comments related to the Korea-Japan Tunnel in an interview jointly conducted by JoongAng Ilbo and Nihon Keizai Shimbun at the Samseong-dong Trade Center in Seoul on April 12th. Chairman Kim, who previously served as chairman of the advisory committee of the World Peace Tunnel Foundation, revealed a variety of views on improving bilateral relations in an interview on the same day.
South Korea and Japan are the only countries in Asia with a population of 50 million and an income of more than $20,000. These are the perfect conditions for cooperation between these two countries. Historically, both countries prospered when their relations were good. Even now, cooperation and openness to foreign countries is good for South Korea, and it could also be a breakthrough for Japan after the lost 20 years (the Great Recession of the Heisei era).
The comfort women issue has not been resolved by all agreements reached between the governments. You have to realize that you still have feelings. If we rush to solve this current situation too quickly and artificially, we will actually end up failing. If economic cooperation is expanded both quantitatively and qualitatively, other problems can be solved.
The Korea-Japan FTA is an absolutely necessary path for the two countries to take as an economic community. Now that hegemonic and great power protectionist trade is intensifying around the world, cooperation in new industries through the Korea-Japan FTF is more important than ever.
The trade association's slogan is to create an entrepreneurial nation. This is the way to make use of the Korean economy. Companies are the main drivers of the economy. Until now, the government has been too involved in the economy, resulting in many regulations. We must return to the basics of the market economy and allow businesses to operate freely. Businesses must create jobs and become agents of wealth distribution and welfare. It is sufficient for the new government to present a vision for revitalizing businesses.
The Korea-Japan Tunnel is considered as a complete version of the infrastructure community, which is a part of the economic community. Considering the future-oriented relationship between the two countries, a Korea-Japan tunnel is necessary. Once completed, the construction period will be over 10 years, and technical exchanges will occur frequently. As a natural progression, considerable cooperation will be required between the governments, businesses, and finances of both countries. The North Korean problem could be solved by economic necessity by digging an undersea tunnel. If the political leaders of the two countries agree on the construction of the Korea-Japan tunnel, the existing conflicts will be resolved at once.
National leaders with a global mindset must look to the future rather than the past or present. Particularly in the recent times when China has shown signs of totalitarianism and is rapidly emerging, South Korea and Japan are countries that share the same ideals and philosophies and are able to engage in economic exchanges. It would be good if the leaders of both countries could look at the problem in a slightly larger framework.
(Reporter Cho Joo-hoon)
We are translating the original Korean text into Japanese.
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