LUNCHEON REMARKS 
BY H.E. GONG RO-MYUNG
AT 
THE 4TH KOREA-EU JOURNALISTS' SEMINAR

October 10, 1996  Seoul

Excellencies, 
Distinguished Guests,

First of all, I would like to express my deepest gratitude for inviting me to the Fourth Korea-EU Journalists'
Seminar and providing this opportunity to speak to you. 


I would also like to extend a warm welcome to all the journalists from the European Union who have come 
to Korea to participate in this seminar.

Since its inception in 1993, this seminar has grown to establish itself as an important non-governmental
channel of dialogue. 


I believe that this seminar is a most valuable forum to expand the basis for mutual understanding. It 
provides an opportunity for the most influential journalists from Korea and the European Union to exchange 
their views on the future of the Korea-EU relationship.

( Current Situation on the Korean Peninsula )

Recent developments on the Korean peninsula are drawing attention in the international community, and I
would first like to talk to you briefly about the current situation on the peninsula. 


With the end of the Cold War, the international society has been striving to shed its old ways, and to 
establish a new world order based on the common goals of world peace and prosperity for humanity. 


Such a transformation can be witnessed in the unsparing efforts the international community is exerting to 
solve issues of worldwide import such as regional conflicts, arms reduction, terrorism, drugs, and the 
environment. In addition, as the globalization of the world accelerates, the principles of free and fair trade 
and market economy are becoming indisputable international norms. 


Despite this worldwide trend of cooperation and reconciliation, North Korea remains the last iceberg of the 
Cold War. The government of the Republic of Korea has maintained the policy of engagement with North 
Korea and has been exhausting all means available to reopen various dialogues with North Korea and to 
assist in its economic and political soft-landing. 


In 1994, we permitted South Korean investment in North Korean projects. Last year, we provided urgently 
needed food aid-150,000 tons of rice-to the North. We even promised a three hundred and fifty thousand US 
dollars worth of aid through UNICEF to help North Korean children suffering from hunger and malnutrition. 


Earlier this spring, our government proposed holding four-party talks to the North so as to discuss a wide 
range of issues that have direct bearing on establishing peace on the peninsula. However, North Korea has 
still not given any indication of a positive response. 


Moreover, as you all know very well, last month North Korea engineered yet another plot to militarily provoke 
us by dispatching a military submarine to infiltrate armed agents into the South. This is manifest proof that 
North Korea still holds fast to its anachronistic illusion of achieving communist-led reunification by force. 


To top it all, instead of apologizing for their brazen violation of the Armistice Agreement, the North Koreans 
have come forward with an egregious story of a submarine with malfunctioning engines accidentally drifting 
into Korean territory. They have even gone so far as to threaten to retaliate hundredfold and thoudsandfold 
against us. 


This kind of irresponsible and preposterous behavior of the North can only be detrimental to our earnest 
efforts to establish lasting peace on the peninsula and leaves us with no choice but to reflect upon the need 
to review our policy towards the North. 


North Korea should also be aware that such behavior will only accelerate their own downfall. 


Recognizing that peace on the Korean peninsula is imperative not only for the security of North East Asia 
but also for world peace itself, we firmly believe that members of the new world order must rally its efforts 
and reinforce its mutual ties to bring North Korea into the international community as a responsible member.

( New Era in Korea-EU Relations )

Now let me turn to Korea-EU relations. The seeds for a close Korea-EU relationship were planted after 
World WarⅡ, when Korea and the member states of the then-European Community became close allies
within the free world. 


Since then the two sides have developed strong bonds in all areas. In the economic domain for example, 
bilateral trade stood at 34.5 billion US dollars in 1995 and the European Union has now become Korea's 
third largest trading partner. In 1994, Korean investment in the European Union nearly doubled. And this 
year, the European Union's investment in Korea has already soared to 400 million US dollars, constituting 
about 20% of all foreign investment in Korea. 


1996 marks a milestone in Korea-EU relations. The Korea-EU Framework Agreement and the Joint Political 
Declaration, which lay down the basis for comprehensive cooperation in such fields as trade, investment, 
science, and environment, finally see their fruition after two years of strenuous negotiations. Both the 
agreement and the declaration are ready to be signed in a few weeks in Luxembourg. 


I am positive that they will usher in a new era in Korea-EU relations. 


Another harbinger of a new Korea-EU relationship is the ASEM which was held in Bangkok last March. The 
ASEM has made it clear that Asia and Europe will, as equal partners, strengthen ties and promote mutually 
beneficial relationships in economics, politics, and other various fields. Without doubt the ASEM will bolster
Korea-EU cooperation. 


With APEC on one side linking the Asia-Pacific region with North America, and ASEM, bridging Asia and 
Europe, on the other side, these three major economic regions are expected to reinforce their ties. 


In the 90's, the European Union has undergone tremendous changes, unprecedented in scale and depth, 
both economically and politically. 


The European Union has successfully launched a single integrated market and is now on the road to further 
integration. It has also been developing a Common Foreign and Security Policy, thereby playing a leading 
role in the shaping of the new world order. 


As for Korea, it has come to figure as a middle economic power thanks to several decades of vigorous 
economic development. At the same time Korea has consistently pursued a policy of political pluralism and 
has endorsed market economics throughout its development process. And now, it is on the verge of joining 
the OECD. 


As one of the leading states in the dynamic Asia-Pacific region, Korea is endeavoring to assume 
responsibilities commensurate with its elevated standing in the international community. Korea's 
"Segyehwa drive" (globalization) aims at liberalizing trade and investment and bringing its domestic laws, 
regulations and practices into conformity with international norms. 


Against this background, I am convinced that this is the most opportune time for Korea and the European 
Union to reach an agreement to further bolster our ties and to forge them into a more comprehensive and 
substantial relationship, one that brings benefits to both sides. Our task for now is to determine how we can 
enrich and at the same time make the most of this new momentum.

( Tasks for the Future Development of Korea-EU Relations )

Both Korea and the European Union will be facing numerous new challenges as they prepare for the 21st
century. We are equally committed to the enhancement of economic prosperity across the world which helps 
maintains peace and global stability. 


As for Korea, two main challenges for the future are continuous economic development and preparation for 
the eventual reunification of the Korean peninsula. These are not easy tasks; they demand not only a wise 
response on the part of the Korean people but also cooperation from the international community. 


In facing these challenges, Korea looks forward to active cooperation with the European Union and its 
member states. In this vein, I would like to stress the need to make joint efforts to elevate our political and 
economic cooperation. 


Signs of such elevation can be witnessed in the political domain. The European Union consistently 
supported Korea's stance on the North Korean nuclear issue and has also decided to participate in KEDO. 
This cooperative atmosphere should be further augmented ; Korea is ready and willing to deepen such 
cooperation in all international fora. 


As for bilateral trade and investment, they have been steadily increasing in recent years. Sturdy double-digit 
increases have characterized recent Korea-EU trade. Last year, for example, bilateral trade increased by 
over 44%. 


However, considering the size of our economies, there is still ample room for expansion in trade and 
investment. Korea also anticipates intimate cooperation in science and technology and hopes to promote 
cooperation in such forward-looking industries as energy, the environment, space engineering and 
communications. 


In today's world economy where globalization and interdependence continue to deepen, Korea has resolved 
to reinforce ties with the European Union and its member states, and I am sure that such a reinforced
relationship will be equally beneficial to the EU.

( Role of Journalists in Strengthening Korea-EU Ties )

Despite the fact that Korea and Europe have maintained a two hundred year old relationship, the two 
peoples unfortunately seem to have a limited understanding of each other. 


Of course, such perceptive gaps are narrowing rapidly with the worldwide development of information and 
communications technology. however, one could say that most Koreans still know very little on the process 
or objective of Europe's integration and likewise, Europeans do not seem to have a deep understanding of 
Korea. 


The Korean government is well aware of the fact that the grounds for globalization lie in expanding mutual
understanding between peoples and countries. Accordingly, Korea has been exerting special efforts to
promote its truthful image abroad. 


However, I would like to emphasize that it is none other than you journalists who play an important part in 
translating the efforts exerted by Korea and the European Union into reality since you are the ones who hold 
the means of direct communication with the general public. 


This is why the importance of this seminar cannot be over- emphasized. 


I am sure that this year's Korea-EU Journalists' Seminar will be highly successful and contribute further to 
the development of a mature Korea-EU partnership. 

Thank you.