Two Koreas trade volume to reach $1b<\/p>\n
SEOUL: Trade volume between the divided Koreas is expected to
\nreach a record US$1 billion this year, a South Korean official
\nsaid on Thursday.<\/p>\n
In the January to September period, trade between North and
\nSouth Korea totaled US$789 million, up 60.1 percent from the same
\nperiod last year, said Vice Minister Rhee Bong-jo of the
\nUnification Ministry.<\/p>\n
That's already better than the current all-time high for
\nannual trade of US$724 million set in 2003.<\/p>\n
The traded goods include clothing and agricultural and
\nfisheries products. It also includes South Korean aid to North
\nKorea such as rice and fertilizer.<\/p>\n
\"If the current trend continues the figure will top US$1
\nbillion this year for the first time in history,\" Rhee told
\nreporters, without elaborating on reasons for the increase.<\/p>\n
The capitalist South and communist North have been divided by
\nthe world's most heavily fortified border since the 1950-53
\nKorean War ended in a cease-fire, instead of a peace treaty.
\nTensions have eased considerably, however, in recent years,
\nparticularly after a historic summit in 2000 fostered increased
\nexchanges and more business deals.<\/p>\n
\"In relations between South and North Korea, starting from
\nthis year, contacts have remarkably increased and intensified,\"
\nRhee said.<\/p>\n
The number of South Korean visitors to the North is expected
\nto reach 100,000 this year, he added. -- AP<\/p>",
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