South Korean President Calls for Investment in DPRKVisiting South Korean President Kim Dae Jung urged Monday all East Asian countries to trade with and invest in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).Speaking at the 19th Singapore Lecture organized by Singapore Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Kim said improvement in inter-Korean relations and peace on the Korean Peninsula will provide East Asian nations with numerous economic opportunities. Despite the DPRK's economic problems, Kim said, "it has an excellent labor force, abundant natural resources and beautiful tourist destinations." "Because of its geographical location, it is a gateway that could provide us with great economic opportunities in the three northeastern provinces of China, Russia's maritime province of Siberia, Mongolia and Central Asia," said the South Korean president. He urged all the nations in East Asia, including Singapore, to take "a keen interest" in trading with and investing in the DPRK. He said South Korea will do all it can to support such trading or investment in the DPRK, adding that his country also welcomes joint ventures with South Korean companies to advance business in the DPRK. Kim was making a state visit to Singapore from November 25 to 27 after attending an ASEAN Informal Summit here. |
| People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/ |