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In regards to the ministry's parliamentary audit report that claims the Gando Convention is null and void, Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Ban Ki-moon said Thursday that the claim had been an administrative mistake and he asked for understanding.
Minister Ban said at a briefing that the Gando Convention should be interpreted by international law and politics, and a number of complex factors.
The minister said that his previous position discounting the Gando Convention was a call for a more accurate and earnest historical study, because the convention was a complicated and critical issue.
Minister Ban revealed his new position after discussing the issue with the National Security Commission and high-ranking officials at the Foreign and Trade Ministry, possibly looking to avoid a diplomatic row with China.
Minister Ban left Korea to accompany President Roh Moo-hyun on a trip to India and Vietnam on Oct.4, one day before the parliamentary audit began. The minister was later briefed about the parliamentary audit report on the Gando Convention.
(Lee Ha-won, may2@chosun.com )
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