”For a brighter future, Korea needs to achieve a second Han River miracle, and Japan needs to achieve a second period of rapid economic growth,” says chairman of Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry

"Korea and Japan have had a lot of economic cooperation up until now, but we have to ask ourselves, 'Is this the right thing to do?'" said Choi Tae-won, chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SK Group).
On the 14th, Chairman Choi was the keynote speaker for the Korean side at the 56th Japan-Korea Business Conference held in Tokyo. At the event, attended by some 210 Japanese and Korean business people, Chairman Choi said,
"If we think, 'We can't continue like this,' then it's time to explore things we've never tried before," he said.
"Although the two countries are important economic partners, trade between the two countries has only been going for 10 years," said Chairman Choi.
"In addition to being at a standstill, the once-active joint ventures between companies from both countries to enter third countries are also declining,"
He emphasized the need to seek new directions for economic cooperation.
"Just like the saying goes, 'we're in the same boat, we have to join forces to overcome the crisis that Korea and Japan are facing together," he said.
He continued, "We should create a platform for researching Korea-Japan economic cooperation," and said, "So far, many ideas about cooperation between the two countries have been put forward, but I don't think they have been explored in depth."
"Rather than being the subject of research by just one or two professors or researchers, we need to create a platform where everyone involved can come together and discuss the issue."
He also proposed that Korea and Japan "collect joint projects that can be carried out right now as success stories."
"If we start with easy tasks instead of complex and difficult projects and create success stories, we can further enhance trust between the two countries," he said.
Chairman Choi said, "Korea and Japan will lead the Asian regional economy and strengthen ties with major countries such as China, the United States and the EU.
"If we want to paint a bright future, Korea should aim for a 'second Hangang Miracle,' and Japan should aim for a 'second high-growth economy,'" he said.
"We can achieve this."