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Park calls for int'l cooperation on logistics network across Eurasia

Sept. 10, 2015 - 11:44 By KH디지털2

President Park Geun-hye called Thursday for cooperation among the United States, China and Russia in building a logistics network across Eurasian countries, an ambitious project that could further boost trade in the region.

South Korea is pushing for the "Eurasia Initiative" to bind Eurasian nations closely together by linking roads and railways that run from South Korea to Europe via North Korea, Russia and China.

China is also seeking to build an overland and a maritime logistics network linked to Europe. Russia is pursuing to develop its far eastern region as part of its move to revive the economy.

"Building a network on the vast Eurasian continent cannot be done by one or two countries," Park said in a speech at an international forum on a logistics network across Eurasia.

She called on relevant countries to strengthen mutual cooperation in building the network to help realize an unlimited potential in the region.

Eurasia accounts for 75 percent of the world's total population and represents 60 percent of the combined gross national product of the world.

Park proposed that South Korea host a meeting of international experts next year on building the network.

South Korea also hopes to eventually link its rail network to Russia's Trans-Siberian Railway via North Korea, an industrious project that will cut shipping times and logistics costs for South Korea's Europe-bound exports.

Discussions on the project to connect the Trans-Siberian Railway with the potential Trans-Korean Railway have been underway for more than a decade, although no major progress has been made due to geopolitical obstacles, particularly North Korea's nuclear and missile programs. (Yonhap)