10,000 Youth Exchange Program in Sports Area

Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi expressed his intention to promote the `Korea-Japan Joint Future Project” starting this year which would exchange about 10,000 youth annually in the sporting area, he said in a special interview a few days before our newspaper`s foundation day.

“Visitors between Japan and Korea numbered 10,000 in 1965 when the two countries diplomatic normalization was established, but now the number of visitors a day is about 10,000,” said Koizumi. He also said he appreciates the marvelous development and progress of Korea`s IT related areas and he will also utilize IT to make Japan a more healthy, safe and convenient country to live in.

Prime Minister Koizumi said he highly appreciates President Roh Moo-hyun`s policy on North Korea which is based on the existing Sunshine Policy and further expects the policy to contribute to peace, stabilization, and prosperity in North East Asia.

Regarding the free trade agreement between South Korea and Japan, he said, “that it symbolizes South Korea and Japan`s partnership which will take a leading role in connecting countries in North East Asia.” He expects a fruitful outcome from the joint research committee in which industry, government, and academic circles in South Korea and Japan can participate.

“I will endeavor to promote the free trade agreement between Korea and Japan, support South Korea`s policy toward North Korea based on friendship between the people of the two nations,” promised Prime Minister Koizumi.

Hun-Joo Cho hanscho@donga.com