04/11/2002 (Agence Europe) - The Korean Shipyards Association has suggested that Japan refrain from siding with the European Union in the dispute over sectoral aid schemes in South Korea. "The world leader is no longer Korea", but Japan, which cannot therefore complain of injury, argues the KSA. It adds that the "number one" may simply be tempted to lend backing to Europe's grievances in the hope of consolidating its top position at the expense of European and Korean shipyards. And the association suggested that the Japanese competition focus instead on research and development "to reduce costs and help create new demand". As for the dispute between the Union and Korea, the KSA "anticipates" some opening on both sides to continue the effort to find an amicable solution that is "reasonably compatible with the realities of the market".