Provincial governor of Gyeonggi-do, Sohn Hak-kyu has visited Japan from Mar. 23 to 24 to attract investments for high-tech enterprises. His business trip continues onto China for 5 days, from Mar. 27 to Apr. 1.

Sohn negotiated with 6 companies in Japan for investments and succeeded in inducing 110 million dollars. Conclusion of a 34 million dollar investment agreement with 5 companies has especially accumulated Sohn’s 4 year accomplishment of 13.5 billion dollars from 98 investors. He plans to meet his 100th investor next month in Europe.

Among the 93 companies he attracted till last Feb., are 45 construction companies and 11 lease contractors. Investment has already been executed for up to 60%.

The purpose for Sohn’s 5 day business trip to China is promote interchange between Chinese sister cities Lianoning and Shandong, and also to talk with Chinese high-ranking officials on a plan for the prosperity and peace for Northeast Asia.

Governor Sohn was president of the [Korean-Chinese Forum] when he was a member of the National Assembly and has also lead a team of members of the “21C Korea-China Exchange Association” in 2001. His interest in Korean-Chinese cooperation was always a social event and he is also known to be acquainted with high-ranking officials in China.

Promoting cooperation with Lianoning & Shandong

Gyeonggi-do officially established sisterhood relationship with Lianoning in 1993, and concluded a mutual cooperation agreement with Shandong in 2000. Gyeonggi-do especially holds a “3 Nations Friendly Relations Conference” every 2 years with Lianoning, China and Kanagawa, Japan.

This visit especially includes the intention of expanding cooperation relationship between the Chinese districts.

In the cooperation declaration agreed upon the districts, the following clauses are included: “Active support for mutual investment between districts will provided, also with accommodations and support for investors”and “Joint study programs on language and culture for students”. The declaration contains the intention of activating mutual investment between sister cities and support for Korean companies advanced into Lianoning and Shandong, and also expand language education in China.

Sohn will confabulate with Korean CEOs in both Lianoning and Shandong, and also request the Chinese government to assist Korean companies in China to openly outstretch their business in China.

Efforts in keeping peace and common prosperity in Northeast Asia

Governor Sohn will give a lecture on the “Future of the Korean and Chinese relationship and the task for peace in Northeast Asia” at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, known as the Think Tank in China.

Sohn is expected to emphasize on the nuclear problem in North Korea and that it is stands in the way of the prosperity of Korea and China, and the peace and stability of Northeast Asia. He will then present a “Peace Management Policy” to solve this standoff.

His “Peace Management Policy” is not just a political rhetoric, but a realizable and continuous program advocating a 4 principles to build a systematic base for an extensive network covering Northeast Asia.

First plan is to take precedence in promoting the stability and peace on the Korean Peninsula, and with this base, building a peaceful system for Northeast Asia. Secondly, improving the living quality and rights of Northeast Asians. Third, driving a realizable program based on the actual inspection. And finally, the construction of a wide-ranging network with not only the governments, but also various enterprises and private organizations participating.

As the start of the above principles, the Gyeonggi-do government plans to expand (3ha -> 100ha) an experimental plantation project involving rice farming with North Korea early this year. The government already has agreed with North Korea on the [New Agricultural District project between North & South Koreas] on Mar. 15, which includes joint project on rice farming, promoting an agricultural infra and improving living environment.

Governor Sohn also plans to meet up with core officials of the Chinese government to discuss about the cooperation relationship between Korea and China.
Chinese officials include Ri Jang Chun (, member of the standing committee), Wang Jia Lui (, Foreign Relations Director of the Communist Party) and more Chinese delegates. Sohn will exchange views on common prosperity in Northeast Asia, expanding economical interchanges between with Korea and China, energy cooperation and other Northeast Asia related issues with Bo Shi Rai (, directory of the standing committee).

Governor Sohn’s visit to China is only a start to strengthen and enlarge the already close relation ship between Gyeonggi-do in Korea, and Lianoning and Shandong in China. Meetings with Chinese officials is expected to be an opportunity for exchanging opinions on the Korea and China relationship.