PM Delivers Speech at Kyushu University in Japan

Kim Jong Pil, the Korean prime minister delivered a speech in Japanese at Kyushu University in Japan on November 30. Kim emphasized the importance of the Asia Monetary Fund (AMF) and Japan's activity in Asia.
Kim said, 'The Asian economic crisis cannot be solved by the efforts of one certain country. Asia needs regional a community like the economic integration in Europe.' He also argued that Japan should function as the center of northeastern Asia integration, which would be a positive effect on world history.
Kim also stressed the positive aspects of Japan and Korea's relationship. He argued that the relations between the two countries is not 'near but far from each other' but 'near and tight'.
He said that the unfortunate past was only the seven years of the Japan-Korean War from 1592 to 1599 and the 36 years of Japan's colonial ruling era. 'This is very short compared to more than 1,500 years of relation between two countries.'. Kim added, 'I really thank the leaders of Japan for the economic cooperation fund support in 1965.'
Sgioka Yoichi, the dean of Kyushu University said, 'I was moved with the prime minister's decision to speek in Japanese. It really touched the students' hearts.'