Park Ji-won is a writer for The Korea Times who has been covering a wide range of topics from Korea’s culture to its politics. An avid journalism enthusiast to the core, Ji-won brings a thoughtful and unique perspective to every topic she covers. On weekends, you'll often find her contemplating life’s purpose on a yoga mat — with a cup of quality tea in hand. A native Korean speaker by birth and fluent in English through her work, she went to college in Japan and is learning Chinese and French — hoping to add Polish, Russian and Thai to the mix.
DPK pledges to boost inter-Korean exchanges
Rep. Lee Hae-chan, the chairman of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), speaks during a press conference held to commemorate the New Year at the National Assembly, Sunday. / Yonhap
By Park Ji-won
By Park Ji-won
The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) said Sunday it will commit itself to explore ways to boost inter-Korean projects.
Saying “achieving peace means saving the economy,” Rep. Lee Hae-chan, the leader of the DPK, stressed the importance of inter-Korean economic cooperation during a New Year press conference.
“This year will be critical in building an economic bloc on the Korean Peninsula and finding new ways for Korean firms and the government to complete tasks ranging from resuming operations at the Gaeseong Industrial Complex and tour programs to Mount Geumgang, to connecting inter-Korean railways and roads and the Eurasian continent.”
His remarks tally with President Moon Jae-in statements unveiled in a New Year press conference at Cheong Wa Dae. The President said inter-Korean exchange programs will help improve the local economy as they will allow South Korean companies to sell their projects and products to their North Korean counterparts.
The two Korea's economic exchanges have been restricted due to international sanctions on the North.
Lee said the party will launch a special committee, the “New Centennial Committee for the Korean Peninsula,” where members will discuss related issues as well as holding inter-Korean events with the North to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the March 1 Independence Movement and the establishment of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea in Shanghai in 1919, during Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule.
Lee pledged that he will also participate in events which will vitalize inter-Korean projects. The party leader said events to commemorate the June 15 and Oct. 4 summits held by the late Presidents Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun and North Korean leader Kim Jong-il are scheduled this year.
Meanwhile, Lee said the party will put an emphasis on coming up with economic measures to prepare for the next 100 years amid the opposition parties' criticism of failing to boost the economy while facing a decreasing approval rating.
“The DPK decided Peace, Economy and a New 100 Years as the key agenda for this year. The most important task for this year will be improving people's lives and revitalizing the economy. In order to do so, we will focus on communication and compromise.”
Lee pledged to enact basic law to categorize small businesses and the self-employed as an independent economic sector to come up with related policies and revitalize them.