Taipei, April 18 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian expressed the hope while receiving the president of a South Korean university Friday that bilateral cooperation and exchanges between the Republic of China and South Korea will continue to expand.
President Chen also conveyed his respect to Kim Jung-haeng, president of Yong-Ni University in Seoul, saying that his three terms at the university has demonstrated how well respected he is.
The president said he hopes Kim, who is skilled in judo and taekowndo, can help increase sports exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.
Chen said that he had recently read a biography of South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun which described how Roh overcame poverty to become a human rights lawyer and finally rise to the presidency after a bumpy road in politics.
Chen said that one should not only look at the glory side of Roh becoming president, but should also see how Roh had learned from his defeats to build up the momentum to final victory, pointing out that this is the spirit of athletes who never give up despite suffering temporary setbacks. "So long as there is perseverance and determination, " the president said, "there will be success."
Kim said that there are many similarities between President Chen and President Roh in their life philosophies and emphasis on human rights.
He noted out that Roh had lagged behind in polls during South Korea's last presidential campaign, as did Chen in Taiwan's 2000 presidential election. Pointing out that many political, business and academic figures in his country believed Roh's rival would win the election, Kim said he was nevertheless convinced that Roh, who he said acts in tune with the will of the people, would win, adding that his success has proved that the South Korean people are on Roh's side.
Kim said modestly that although his knowledge of Taiwan is limited, he has always had a feeling of concern for Taiwan, adding that his feelings for Taiwan increased after President Chen received an honorary doctoral degree from his university in January 2000.
He expressed the hope that bilateral relations could be further upgraded with continued exchanges and cooperation.