S. Korean president seeks free trade union in Northeastern Asia

S. Korean president seeks free trade union in Northeastern Asia Sep 22 2004 2:48PM

MOSCOW. Sept 22 (Interfax) - South Korean President Roh Moo Hyun said in his lecture during a visit to the Moscow State University on Wednesday that he wants a free trade union to be set up in Northeastern Asia. "We need to provide a solid foundation for successful joint development through larger trade turnover, energy projects and information sharing. In addition, we need to create a joint economic union on the principle of free trade without borders," the president said. "Once this economic union is in place, we will be able to advance our contacts in the area of security," he said. "We have a good example of cooperation in the past, when European countries established their Coal and Steel Community, which helped them live side-by-side peacefully," he said. Although 'the Cold War' ended a long time ago, the Northeastern Asian countries "have not yet overcome all their distrust and hostility toward each other. We need to join our forces in the economic sphere to take broader confidence-building measures and strengthen the unity of our interests," Roh said. "This autumn, train services will be resumed along a railroad that will link the two parties [South Korea and North Korea] separated for 50 years," he said. © 1991-2005 Interfax All rights reserved