ID :
196183
Thu, 07/21/2011 - 06:58
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/196183
The shortlink copeid
Seoul mulls int'l forum to win support for unification
SEOUL, July 21 (Yonhap) -- South Korea is considering opening a forum in key partner nations such as the United States and China to rally international support for the unification of the Korean Peninsula, the Unification Ministry said Thursday.
The plan is to hold an annual international forum in the U.S., China, Japan, Russia and the European Union to discuss unification strategies with officials, experts and Korean residents in these countries, a ministry official said on the condition of anonymity. The forum would aim to help the international community better understand South Korea's policy on North Korea and unification and win support for its plans.
"The interests of our neighboring nations such as China could become large obstacles in the process of unification," said another official, who stressed the importance of so-called "unification diplomacy." The official also spoke on the condition of anonymity.
The Koreas have been separated by a heavily fortified border since the liberation of the Korean Peninsula from Japan's colonial rule in 1945. The two sides technically remain in a state of war, as the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a truce, not a peace treaty.
The ministry, which handles inter-Korean affairs, said it is also considering an international workshop on the same topic for lawmakers. The workshop would bring together South Korean lawmakers of the National Assembly's committee on foreign affairs, trade and unification and U.S. congressmen to discuss unification strategies.
The plan is to hold an annual international forum in the U.S., China, Japan, Russia and the European Union to discuss unification strategies with officials, experts and Korean residents in these countries, a ministry official said on the condition of anonymity. The forum would aim to help the international community better understand South Korea's policy on North Korea and unification and win support for its plans.
"The interests of our neighboring nations such as China could become large obstacles in the process of unification," said another official, who stressed the importance of so-called "unification diplomacy." The official also spoke on the condition of anonymity.
The Koreas have been separated by a heavily fortified border since the liberation of the Korean Peninsula from Japan's colonial rule in 1945. The two sides technically remain in a state of war, as the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a truce, not a peace treaty.
The ministry, which handles inter-Korean affairs, said it is also considering an international workshop on the same topic for lawmakers. The workshop would bring together South Korean lawmakers of the National Assembly's committee on foreign affairs, trade and unification and U.S. congressmen to discuss unification strategies.
