TOKYO -- South Korean President Kim Dae Jung has proposed
negotiations between state researchers to establish what he termed an
"inter-Korean economic framework."
''South and North Korea can gain great economic benefits by cooperating
with each other,'' Kim said in a nationally televised speech on Monday.
It was the latest South Korean offer to its northern communist neighbor
to begin a process of reconciliation. North Korea has generally shrugged off
Seoul's proposals.
Earlier, Seoul, increasingly worried over North Korea's nuclear and
missile prowess, has decided to bolster its reconnaissance ability.
Officials said the first step will be the development of unmanned air
vehicles that will be able to detect and photograph targets more than 80
kilometers away.
The UAV will be part of a $4.8 billion project to procure weapons and
conduct research and development.
The Korean Defense Ministry said the project increases Seoul's defense
spending by 2.2 percent during 2000.
Officials said the UAVs is also part of a drive by Seoul to develop its
own capabilities. South Korea is pressing Washington for help in developing
missiles that can strike any part of North Korea.
Currently, South Korea depends on the United States, with some 37,000
troops in the Asian country, to monitor the north.
