Taipei, Feb. 23 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian said Monday that he will continue to promote talks on the resumption of Taiwan-South Korea airlinks based on the principles of reciprocity and mutual benefit.
Receiving visiting Kyungnam University President Park Jae Kyu of South Korea at the Presidential Office, Chen noted that Taiwan and South Korea maintain close trade and economic relations.
Two-way trade between the two countries amounted to US$13 billion last year, with a surplus of US$4 billion in favor of South Korea, Chen said, adding that South Korea is Taiwan's fifth-largest trading partner.
Given that commercial and tourist travel between Taiwan and South Korea is increasing, the present system of charter flights between the two countries is not the normal way to meet increasing flight service demands, Chen told his guest.
Air transport links between Taiwan and South Korea have been suspended since 1992, when Seoul switched its diplomatic ties from Taipei to Beijing.
During the meeting, Chen and Park also exchanged views on the situation in the Taiwan Strait and the Korean peninsula. Park is a former South Korean minister of unification.
Chen said that he has presented a proposal for establishing a framework for cross-strait peaceful and stable interaction after the March 20 presidential election, and he expressed hope that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait can hold talks based on the principle of peace on four major issues -- the establishment of a negotiation mechanism, exchanges based on equality and reciprocity, the establishment of a political relationship and the prevention of military conflicts.
Park should have a great deal of practical experience in dealing with North Korea, which is worthy of note by Taiwan, Chen added.