Lawmakers Support Inter-Korean Cooperation
2003-08-11
A number of ruling Millennium Democratic Party (MDP) lawmakers on Sunday (Aug. 10) launched a nationwide drive to support inter-Korean economic cooperation led by Hyundai Asan.
Seven MDP lawmakers and district leaders announced they will be at the front of boosting the troubled Mt. Geumgang tourism project and initiated a move to ensure the continuance of inter-Korean cooperation.
“We believe it is an urgent responsibility for all to suggest a nationwide movement to support further development of inter-Korean cooperation in order to not let the death of Chung Mong-hun, chairman of Hyundai Asan, be in vain,” they said in a statement.
The sudden suicide by Chung, son of the late Hyundai founder Chung Ju-yung, last Monday threw into jeopardy the debt-ridden Mt. Geumgang tourism project due to a lack of business. Hyundai Group began running the tours in 1998, clearing a path for future inter-Korean relations.
“After Chung's death some suggested a consortium be organized to run the inter-Korean cooperation projects. But the reality is that none other but Hyundai Asan can continue the business,” said MDP Rep. Im Jong-seok during a news conference.
Late last week, MDP chief policymaker Chung Sye-kyun suggested a consortium of private companies be set up to join Hyundai Asan.
But the government rejected the idea, saying the change of partner in the South-North Korean business would delay the launch of land route tours to Mt. Geumgang and lead to financial losses.
Im said the movement is not designed to help the private company Hyundai Asan but to support the corporation's inter-Korean business.
They also urged the public to participate in a drive to get a million people to buy 10 shares in Hyundai Asan.
“The government should quickly carry out the subsidizing of funds for inter-Korean cooperation,” claim the lawmakers.
Source : www.korea.net
