Taipei, Sept. 18 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian said Thursday he hoped air links between Taiwan and South Korea could be restarted through negotiations.
The president made the remarks when he received Sonu Jung Ho, president of South Korea's Myong-ji University, at the Presidential Office.
The president said that he was concerned about the fact that air links have not been re-established, adding that he -believes that the peoples of the two countries wish the links to be resumed. "The ROC government hopes to actively engage in consultations with South Korea under the principles of national dignity, substantive interests, equality, and mutual benefits so that the resumption of aviation links can be realized soon, " the president said.
The president welcomed Sonu, who once served as the president of Seoul National University, and lauded him as a distinguished educator. His visit represents the close academic and cultural exchanges and cooperation between the two countries, Chen said.
The president said Taipei and Seoul have close trade relations. Bilateral trade amounted to US$11.58 billion last year, with Seoul enjoying a trade surplus of US$3.84 billion, making it the country with the second-largest trade imbalance with Taiwan.
South Korea is also Taiwan's fourth-largest importer, and its fifth-largest exporter, he added.
With such close relations, Taiwan is concerned about peace, security, and stability on the Korea Peninsula, the president said. "The stance and attitude of the ROC government is clear, which is that we hope the Korea Peninsula will be nuclear-free and that any disputes and differences will be worked out through peaceful dialogues," he said.
The president also spoke of the six-party talks regarding North Korea's nuclear program in late August in Beijing, adding that more contacts and communications will mitigate misunderstandings and miscalculations, and increase the chances that there will be peace.