Gu Ja-yeol, Chairman of the Korean Martial Arts Association, Proposes "Restoration of Korea-Japan Visa-Free Travel and Formation of Public-Private Consultative Body"

Keynote Speech at the 54th Korea-Japan Economic Conference

Korea International Trade Association Chairman Koo Ja-yeol is delivering the keynote speech on the theme of "Establishing a New Milestone in Korea-Japan Relations Following the Inauguration of the New Government" at the 54th Korea-Japan Business Meeting held on the 30th at Lotte Hotel in Sogong-dong.

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Sun-mi] "To expand economic exchange and cooperation between Korea and Japan and to resume the free movement of businesspeople, the visa-free visit system must be restored promptly."

At the keynote speech of the 54th Korea-Japan Business Meeting on the 30th, Koo Ja-yeol, Chairman of the Korea International Trade Association, emphasized that businesspeople play a crucial role in Korea-Japan relations alongside diplomatic and cultural exchanges, and urged the swift restoration of the visa-free visit system as well as strengthening cooperation in future-oriented industrial sectors such as global supply chains, new industries, and energy security.

Chairman Koo also proposed the establishment of a public-private consultative body jointly involving the governments and businesses of Korea and Japan. He explained, "While businesses can open the way for improving Korea-Japan relations, it is insufficient for businesspeople alone to break down past barriers all at once. If a Korea-Japan public-private consultative body shares business difficulties and jointly seeks solutions, it will serve as an opportunity to restore trust and improve relations between the two countries."

He further expressed the need to expand future-oriented industrial cooperation between Korea and Japan. Chairman Koo stated, "There are many areas where the two countries need to cooperate in response to economic structural changes such as global supply chains, new industries, energy security, and carbon neutrality. Korea’s ‘Hydrogen Convergence Alliance’ and Japan’s ‘Hydrogen Value Chain Promotion Council,’ which are respectively operating to foster the hydrogen industry, could potentially collaborate."

He added, "If Korea and Japan can exchange electricity cheaply within Northeast Asia through the 'Northeast Asia Supergrid' construction, it would greatly benefit both economies," and further noted, "Taking one step further, it could also contribute to peace and stability in Northeast Asia."

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