Roh: “Exchanges Between South Korea And Japan Should Continue”

South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun expressed his view Thursday that "economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation between South Korea and Japan should not be suspended or discouraged."

During a Ministry of Culture and Tourism report in Cheong Wa Dae, Roh responded to a anxious comment from a participant that the recent deterioration of the relationship between South Korea and Japan could have a negative influence on the government`s plan for luring foreign investment to the leisure and tourism complex planned for the Southwestern coast area, saying, "Relationships between countries have their ups and downs. It is important to correspond with firm principles while actively trying to continue with economic and cultural exchanges.”

President Roh also added, “Some media outlets are urging extreme measures, such as summoning the Japanese ambassador or terminating the interchanges between the two heads from the countries, but that will not be our response," Roh said. "Cultural exchanges and expressions of opinion should be approached from separated perspectives. I do not think Japan will reject this approach."

Jung-Hun Kim jnghn@donga.com