Japan-Korea Undersea Tunnel

The Japan-Korea Undersea Tunnel is a proposed tunnel project to connect Japan with South Korea via an undersea tunnel crossing the Korea Strait utilizing traverses over the islands of Iki and Tsushima, a straight line distance of approximately 128 kilometers at its shortest across the strait. In early 2008 the proposal was in preliminary discussions by ten senior Japanese lawmakers who have set up a committee to further pursue it [ [http://inventorspot.com/articles/japankorea_undersea_tunnel_may_j_10795 Japan-Korea Undersea Tunnel May Join Old Rivals, Inventorspot.com, 2008-02-19] , retrieved on March 17, 2008] [ [http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/world/view/20080215-119157/Japanese-lawmakers-eye-underwater-train-to-South-Korea Japanese lawmakers eye underwater train to South Korea, Agence France-Presse, 2008-02-15] , retrieved March 17, 2008] .

Proposal history

Overview

The earliest proposals for such a tunnel reportedly originated as far back as the 1930s, called the Greater East Asia Railroad. During the Second World War, Japan actively considered such a project in order to connect it with the Korean Peninsula, and ultimately with the rest of the Asian continent. The proposal has been raised in public discussions at various times since then, and recently by Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda [ [http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/feb/15/japan.korea Japan proposes 'peace' tunnel to South Korea, Guardian Online, 2008-02-15] , retrieved March 18, 2008] . South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, inaugurated as president on 2008-02-18, has expressed a willingness to consider the project, unlike his immediate predecessor Roh Moo-hyun.

Proposed routes

Three routes have been proposed for the project. All three routes have the most eastern point terminating at Karatsu on the island of Kyūshū, Japan. The proposed western termination points in Korea are the port city of Busan for one of the routes, and the city of Geoje for the other two routes. Combined tunnel/island traverses for the three routes range from 209 to 231 kilometers to cross the Korea Strait (both the eastern Tsushima Strait and the western Busan Strait). This distance would be far longer than the Eurotunnel which connects Britain to France with an undersea tunnel distance of approximately 38 kilometers.

Economic benefits

The proposed tunnel project would provide a savings of about 30 percent in transporting goods between the two countries [ [http://japundit.com/archives/2007/05/12/5977/ Dig It!, Japundit.com, 2007-05-12] , retrieved March 17, 2008] . Further economic benefits would be gained if North Korea would permit trains to cross through it into China, from where trains could then access the Trans-Siberian Railway to Europe.

Associated difficulties

ocietal

Both the Japanese public and the South Korean public have reservations toward closer links with each other due to various reasons, which political leaders are sensitive to. Among these reasons: South Koreans still have strong memories of the Japanese occupation of their country from 1910-1945. Another contentious issue may be Japan's insistence on the return of the Liancourt Rocks, located to the northeast of the strait, which are claimed by Tokyo but have been occupied by the South Korean coast guard, police and lighthouse personnel since 1945; some claim that Korea has governed since the Silla dynasty.

Logistical

One eventual economic issue that will be faced by rail companies utilizing the tunnel is that of different sized rail gauge, if the rail system is eventually connected to the Trans-Siberian Railway. Russia uses a different rail gauge than that of Korea and Japan.

References