[USFK Forums] Seoul Cautious in Setting Up S-N Cooperation Body [Korea Times]

[C. Y. Lee]

[Uploaded by C. Y. Lee, Tuesday, November 8, 2005] Here is article appeared in The Korea Times which is uploaded as follows:
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Seoul Cautious in Setting Up S-N Cooperation Body

The Korea Times, Monday, November 07, 2005

By Ryu Jin, Staff Reporter

South Korea will take a phased and cautious approach in setting up a state-run corporation, which would be in charge of inter-Korean economic cooperation projects, Chong Wa Dae said Monday.

In a meeting of related Cabinet ministers earlier this month, the government decided to push for the establishment of the corporation, while taking into account the development of economic cooperation between the two Koreas, according to the presidential office.

``There was a brainstorming session and participants agreed on the need to approach the issue in a systematic and prudent manner as its establishment requires a careful preparation process,’’ presidential spokesman Kim Man-soo told reporters.

The spokesman made the remarks in response to a newspaper report that President Roh Moo-hyun expressed objections to a proposal made by Unification Minister Chung Dong-young to launch the corporation during the meeting.

According to the report, Roh said the inauguration of the corporation should be considered only after the six-party talks aimed at ending the North Korean nuclear standoff produce some tangible results. The report added that Minister of Planning and Budget Byeon Yang-kyoon, who also attended the meeting, showed reluctance to Chung’s idea, noting that a huge amount of budget needed for the establishment of the corporation might aggravate the country’s growing budget deficit.

Chung, one of the most viable candidates of the ruling Uri Party for the 2007 presidential poll, enjoyed the full confidence of Roh with his recent achievements in inter-Korean relations. In an interview with a local radio station, Chung described the media report as ``not so accurate indeed,’’ saying that the peace-building process on the Korean Peninsula would certainly require taxpayer money.

The presidential spokesman also denied part of the report. ``It wrote that President Roh cited North Korea’s nuclear program as a reason to oppose the proposal. But it is not true,’’ he said. ``The political interpretation contained in the report should not be regarded as a fact.’’

jinryu@koreatimes.co.kr 11-07-2005 17:19