Post by Beijinglion on Jan 19, 2005 8:32:35 GMT -5
Joongangdaily ’†‰›“ú•ñ
Government seeks closer bonds with Japan, China
January 12, 2005 ¤Ñ A top government official said yesterday two proposals are underway that seek to tie Korea, Japan and China more closely in terms of communication, sports and economy.
Moon Chung-in, president of the Presidential Committee on Northeast Asian Cooperation Initiative, said yesterday, "We are conceiving establishing a joint television channel among Korea's KBS, China's CCTV and Japan's NHK so that each network can air eight hours per day on the channel."
Mr. Moon spoke to university students at a lecture organized by the governing Uri Party.
"We are thinking about launching an East Asian professional soccer league in which 16 teams, five teams each from Korea and China and six teams from Japan, compete touring the three countries," Mr. Moon said.
Mr. Moon, however, did not specify yesterday how the plans will be implemented.
"In terms of economy, the three countries are discussing jointly buying oil from Middle Eastern countries," he said. "Working-level officials of the three countries are already talking about the plan."
The presidential committee was formed in 2003 at the start of Roh Moo-hyun's administration. It aims to initiate East Asian cooperation, and its members include cabinet ministers and academics.
Mr. Moon emphasized yesterday resolving the North Korean nuclear standoff is key to forming a cohesive community.
"For a Northeast Asian community, solving the North Korean nuclear issue is a priority," Mr. Moon said. "If a war occurs because of the nuclear issue, then it may evolve into confrontation between the United States and China."
"The presidential committee is researching how South Koreans should live for the next 30 to 40 years," Mr. Moon continued. "I reported related committee results to President Roh Moo-hyun last Friday but it is premature to publicly release the results."
Mr. Moon commented on the Goguryeo history dispute with China. "The issue can be resolved as long as Chinese territory in Manchuria is recognized and ethnic Koreans in China are regarded as Chinese," he said.
