◆On September 28th, Ms. Moon Sun-jin, daughter of Rev. Sun Myung Moon, who proposed the Japan-Korea Tunnel, inspected the Karatsu Nagoya Incline Shaft.
The Japan-Korea Tunnel project began in November 1981, when Rev. Sun Myung Moon, the great Korean religious leader, proposed the idea of an international highway from Beijing to Pyongyang, passing through Seoul and into Tokyo, at the 10th International Congress of Scientists held in Seoul. Rev. Moon passed away two years ago, and unfortunately was not able to personally inspect construction sites such as Karatsu. However, on the occasion of his daughter, Ms. Moon Sun-jin's visit to Japan to give a lecture, she took the opportunity to inspect the Japan-Korea Tunnel Nagoya Incline Shaft in Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture, on the afternoon of September 28th.
The Chairman of the Board reported on the project's progress over the past 35 years since its proposal. "We have now dug 600 meters in Karatsu, and in Tsushima, the tunnel entrance was completed in July of this year, with an opening ceremony held. The Korean media has also come to cover the project and reported on it," he said, reporting on efforts to promote exchanges between Japan and Korea and to elevate it to a national project for both countries. Ms. Sun Jin, who is involved in peace activities in North and South America, spoke of her hopes for the Japan-Korea tunnel, saying, "It is wonderful that Japan and Korea are connecting. I hope it will soon become a national project."
After this, they went up to the observation deck above the inclined shaft, and listened attentively to an explanation of the tunnel route while looking out over the Genkai Sea and Iki Island, 28 km away. They also went to the end of the inclined shaft to experience the tunnel concept for themselves.
A commemorative ginkgo tree was also planted on the observation deck grounds, as a sign of passionate hope for future development. In the future, the two ginkgo trees, once they turn yellow, will become a landmark for visitors from the sea and from Asia, amid the beautiful cherry blossom and pine trees.
Field Newsletter October 2014 (PDF view/download)
