Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Moon-soo has proposed the construction of a high-speed railway line running across the Korean Peninsula to leading areas in Liaoning Province of China.

On October 27, during his visit to China, Governor Kim held separate meetings in Liaoning China with the Secretary of the People¡¯s Party of Liaoning Province, the Governor of Liaoning Province, and the Governor of Kanagawa Prefecture (Japan). In the meetings with Liaoning officials, Governor Kim proposed the construction of a high-speed railway line between Gyeonggi Province and Liaoning Province.

Governor Kim first met with the Secretary of the People’s Party, Jiang Wienwui, in the Great Hall of the People in Liaoning Province. “Beijing is a neighbor to Gyeonggi Province, as it is located only 1,200 kilometers. It would only take 3 hours to get there by maglev train,” he remarked to Jiangwien Wi, adding, “If a leader like the Secretary of the People’s Party makes efforts to facilitate cooperation between South Korea, North Korea and Liaoning Province, trade between our regions will increase by three or four fold,” said Governor Kim.

“I also have expectations regarding this issue. Our two countries have been committed to a relationship of exchange since the era of three dynasties in each country. Our two countries are geographically very close, and people used to move across the Korean Peninsula and Liaoning Province, finally reaching Jiuhuashan in northern China during the era of the Silla and Tang Dynasties. I hope that there can be a new dimension in the relationship between our two countries, and that we can realize mutual development in the future,” replied the Secretary of People¡¯s Party.

“I hope that people can travel to Shenyang from Gyeonggi Province via train or an expressway in the future,” said Governor Kim to Chen Zhenggao, Governor of Liaoning Province. “Our dream may come true earlier and trade between Korea and China may be multiplied if Chen Zhenggao, Governor of Liaoning Province, and other leaders focus their efforts on such a proposal,” added Governor Kim, requesting the cooperation of the Secretary.

“The distance between Shenyang and Dandong, which is located near the Amnok River, is about 200 kilometers, which would take about 1 hour and 30 minutes by high-speed train. I am willing to take the initiative in this matter,” said Chen Zhenggao, Governor of Liaoning Province, adding, “Gyeonggi Province is about 300 kilometers away from the Amnok River, and so would be reachable in about 2 hours by high-speed train. If a high-speed railway line is constructed in the future, it would be very beneficial to Liaoning Province,” he added.

“I traveled on a maglev train that runs at 431km/h in Shanghai last week. At that speed, it would only take two hours to reach Seoul from Shenyang,” said Governor Kim to Governor Chen Zhenggao, adding, “It may come true if you work on this matter.”

During his meeting with Matsujawa Shigehumi, the Governor of Kanagawa Prefecture (Japan), Governor Kim remarked, “I would like to thank you for allowing rice cake made from Gyeonggi rice to be sold in Japan. I have always had the impression that Japanese people are very particular about food.”

“Many Japanese people favor Korean food,” replied Governor Matsujawa.

Governor Kim also held a meeting later that same evening with former President Kim Dae-jung, where he discussed policy issues relating to North Korea.

The meeting with former Korean President Kim Dae-jung was impromptu, and was organized when it was discovered that Governor Kim happened to be staying at the same hotel as the former president, who was visiting Shenyang, China, to attend the North East Asian Development Forum.

“Reunification, in the form of North Korea being absorbed into South Korea, at this stage, may incur some difficulties such as spiritual issues. North Korea must be supported so that they can become economically independent, and the North Koreans will grow to understand the situation as the North gradually opens their market,” said Governor Kim to former President Kim.

“We provided medication and vehicles for the prevention of malaria spread by mosquitoes this summer, and also provided funding for a youth soccer competition that was recently held in Pyongyang. We also proposed the provision of rice to North Korea, which we have in abundance, but they rejected our proposal right after initially appearing to accept it. We were confused by this, but will continue supporting North Korea,” said Governor Kim.

“I do not support North Korea’s constitution, but, as they may threaten peace, we must guide North Korea so that they become more cooperative with the international community. North Korea will obviously follow our lead. We just need to be more patient,” said former President Kim.

“North Korea did not keep their promises when I was in office. I believe that North Korea held this attitude because they have a sense of inferiority when it comes to South Korea. It is not because they are arrogant. When I visited North Korea, I realized that they just wanted us to recognize and talk to them, and demanded that we give and take,” he added.