The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Sat, May 21, 2022 | 07:47
-------------------------
Ahn Cheol-soo calls for closer ties with 'northern economies'
Posted : 2012-10-09 18:55
Updated :  
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
Independent presidential hopeful Ahn Cheol-soo said Tuesday that South Korea must pursue closer ties with "northern economies" if it wants to make the next leap forward.

Delivering a keynote speech at the World Knowledge Forum gathering in eastern Seoul, the software entrepreneur-turned-politician said Seoul was able to achieve industrialization by working closely with maritime economies, but in the future, it needs to look northward.

In the past, the country relied heavily on maritime powers such as the United States and Japan for its growth. The northern economies refer to countries like China and Russia that have considerable growth potential down the line, as well as underdeveloped North Korea.

"By making inroads north, we can transform the current economic crisis into a growth opportunity," he said.

Ahn stressed that northern economies can also benefit South Korea's small and medium enterprises (SMEs), saying he wants to incorporate his "119 project," which is focused on helping smaller businesses, into the broader economic strategy.

He said there can be considerable opportunities for SMEs if the 119 project is linked to the building of North Korea's railroad system, and support for the construction of roads and sea transportation. Such developments could positively transform the communist country.

"By building up the North's logistics infrastructure, SMEs can gain access to more business opportunities, while at the same time helping contribute to closer inter-Korean cooperation," the candidate claimed. He said such an arrangement will lead to an economic "blue ocean" environment that can help all sides.

He said by extending his SME-focused 119 project to the North, he expects that the country's economy could move up at least 1 percent, and permit 10,000 South Korean SMEs to set up operations in the country. This, he said, can create 90,000 new jobs.

Touching on his North Korean policy, Ahn said that there is a need to hold talks with Pyongyang while at the same time seeking support and understanding from the United States, Japan, China and Russia.

"We will take the firm road in creating a peaceful Korean Peninsula," he said. (Yonhap)
 
  • Pro-, anti-Biden demonstrations to be held in front of Hyatt hotel
  • Biden arrives in South Korea for first summit with Yoon
  • S-Oil CEO apologizes for deadly refinery explosion in Ulsan
  • Samsung, LG expand into appliances with pet care features
  • Gov't extends mandatory quarantine for COVID-19 patients for 4 more weeks
  • South Korea-Japan relations in the shadow of Ukraine
  • Yoon, Biden to discuss Korea-US tech alliance in nuclear energy
  • Baseball, dogs: What Yoon, Biden have in common
  • South Korea's new COVID-19 cases drop for 3rd day
  • Summit could pave way for currency swap: analysts
  • Kim Sae-ron apologizes for her alleged DUI incident Kim Sae-ron apologizes for her alleged DUI incident
  • Reality shows raise concerns by zooming in on private lives of people Reality shows raise concerns by zooming in on private lives of people
  • TvN drama 'Rose Mansion' criticized for animal abuse scene TvN drama 'Rose Mansion' criticized for animal abuse scene
  • Former GFriend member Yerin makes solo debut with 'Aria' Former GFriend member Yerin makes solo debut with 'Aria'
  • 'The Roundup' off to record-setting start at box office 'The Roundup' off to record-setting start at box office
DARKROOM
  • People in North Korea trapped in famine and pandemic

    People in North Korea trapped in famine and pandemic

  • 2022 Pulitzer Prize: Bearing witness to history

    2022 Pulitzer Prize: Bearing witness to history

  • Worsening drought puts millions at risk

    Worsening drought puts millions at risk

  • Our children deserve the best

    Our children deserve the best

  • End of mask mandates

    End of mask mandates

The Korea Times
CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Location
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Service
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Policy
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • 고충처리인
  • Youth Protection Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group