Taipei, Nov. 13 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian praised Thursday the remarkable contributions of the head of a South Korean University in promoting sports exchanges between the Republic of China and South Korea.
Chen made the remarks when he received Kim Jung-haeng, president of Seoul's Yongin University, at the Presidential Office.
The president said he was glad to learn that Kim received an honorary doctorate from Taiwan's National College of Physical Education and Sports Tuesday to accompany one he received from Chinese Culture University in April.
Chen also noted that it was the first honorary doctorate to be awarded by the National College of Physical Education and Sports.
He pointed out that Yongin University started as a judo college five decades ago and later became a well-known school with many departments.
Kim has served as its president for three terms since 1990, and Chen praised his contributions to promoting exchanges between Taipei and Seoul, as well as bringing about the signing of sisterhood ties between his university and the National College of Physical Education and Sports.
Chen also said Kim will send excellent coaches to Taiwan to help the National College of Physical Education and Sports train athletes.
Kim congratulated the Chinese Taipei baseball team for obtaining a berth in the 2004 Athens Olympic Games an he expressed the hope that there will be further exchanges and cooperation between his university and the National College of Physical Education and Sports.