By Kim Sue-young
Staff Reporter
Former President Kim Dae-jung stressed Tuesday that Seoul should hasten inter-Korean economic cooperation because Pyongyang has growth potential with its rich resources.
In a speech to mark the June 15 Joint Declaration in Seoul, Kim said North Korea can expect investment and the inflow of foreign capital once it mends fences with the United States and Japan.
``Some statistics claim that the North has 2-4 quadrillion won worth of resources. Besides, it has tourist attractions such as Mounts Geumgang and Baekdu.
``Seoul can hire good North Korean workers with cheap salaries ― almost half that of in China,'' he said.
The former President, who designed the ``Sunshine Policy'' of engaging the Stalinist state, also delivered the rosy prospect of the North boosting its economy with social overhead capital and development projects.
He said China and European countries are hurrying to advance into North Korea and U.S. companies are in contact with the North behind the scenes.
Seoul, however, is poor at utilizing its geological and cultural advantages, he said.
``We are so near North Korea and we are the same people. We use the same language and share the same culture,'' he said. ``Reconciliation and cooperation would be helpful to North Korea but they are also essential for the economic development here.''
Kim underlined railroads between the two Koreas will be beneficial to the U.S. and Japan as well as the reclusive state.
``Inter-Korean railroads can be extended to Siberia and Central Asia via China,'' he said. ``The nation can advance to even Paris and London. Then, South Korea can stand as an important logistics hub which enables the U.S. and Japan to use this `iron silk road.'''
He added that transportation by train is 30 percent cheaper than by ship.
Pointing out strained relations with North Korea, Kim urged President Lee Myung-bak to implement two major inter-Korean accords ― the June 15 Declaration adopted at the end of first inter-Korean summit in 2000 and the Oct. 4 Agreement signed at the second inter-Korean summit last year.
Under the 2000 agreement reached between Kim and North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, reunions of displaced families took place and the joint Gaeseong Industrial Complex was built.
The accord struck between former President Roh Moo-hyun and the North Korean leader last year calls for, among others, international talks to replace the armistice which ended the 1950-53 Korean War with a permanent peace treaty.