Seoul Will Host World Forum in 2005

Seoul has been selected as the next host city for the sixth round of the “International Forum on Government Reform” in 2005.

During the fifth “International Forum on Government Reform” held in Mexico City of Mexico, representatives of the member nations had a general meeting on November 4 (local time) and made such decisions for the next city host, said the aides of prime minister yesterday. “The Participatory Government is enhancing an active participation of civil society and seeking for reform and innovation in every aspect of governmental structure,” Prime Minister Goh Kun, who is currently attending the forum, said in an acceptance speech. “By the year of our hospitality of the forum in 2005, Seoul will be able to show a visible outcome of intense efforts in every part of the nation.”

Under the joint sponsorship of the United Nations and the hosting country, the “International Forum on Government Reform” was first launched in the United States in 1999 and became an annual event in which the topics such as international trend of government reform and governmental innovation strategy of diverse nations were being discussed.

Meanwhile, in an interview with the Mexican leading daily “Reforma” on November 4, Prime Minister Goh mentioned about the promotion of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Korea and Mexico saying, “Mexico is a key point for Korean companies to enter into Central and South America. The country is also attractive enough for our investments, which may be considered as good as China.” Goh added, “Both countries have different economic structures that can supplement each other, and therefore it is possible to conclude a reciprocal FTA.”

Prior to this, on November 3, Prime Minister Goh met with Mexico’s president, Vincente Fox Quesada, and made an agreement on starting a government-led joint-research for a successful contract of FTA between the two countries.

Jong-Hoon Lee taylor55@donga.com