한ㆍ일 해저터널건설 논의를 위한 시론(試論)적 연구

Abstract

This study shows that the controversy over building an undersea tunnel between Korea and Japan dates back to decades ago. Although the leaders of South Korea and Japan have called for the necessity of the project on numerous occasions, the official review on the implementation of the project has not started yet. There is no technical problems in the construction of the Korea-Japan undersea tunnel according to civil engineers. Furthermore, the construction of the tunnel could bring a boom in the domestic economy including construction business as well as in Korea's reunification mood. Nevertheless, Korea and Japan appear not to play a constructive role in the construction of the undersea tunnel due to the complicated history of the relationships between the two countries. The study argues that mutual understanding and restoration of the trust between two countries should be the premise of successful resolution of the construction of the undersea tunnel as well as the free trade agreement being discussed currently.