"Korean unification' ad hits Times Square

An unusual billboard ad calling future reunification of the Koreas an economic "bonanza" has appeared in New York's Times Square, a traditional mecca for advertisement.

"Korean Unification would be an immeasurable BONANZA for any nations with interests in the Korean Peninsula," reads the ad, installed on a main street of the ever-bustling square.

On the left side is a photo of South Korean President Park Geun-hye and U.S. President Barack Obama shaking hands.

It also notes Samsung, Hyundai and LG are South Korean firms and a reunified Korea will be the best place for investment.

The phrase is written in seven languages -- English, French, Chinese, Russian, Italian, German and Spanish.

The ad was set up by Han Tae-gyuk, a 66-year-old Korean-American man, at his own expense.

Han said he wants to publicize the importance of Park's recent message on the future of the two Koreas.

At her New Year's press conference in Seoul, the president said she believes that Korean unification would be a jackpot not only for the Koreas but also for neighboring nations.

On a trip to Davos, Switzerland, later in January, she reiterated that the unification of the two Koreas would be a blessing for countries in the region.

As uncertainty grows over the young North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's leadership, a growing number of South Korean and U.S. officials are talking about the future of the peninsula.

Delivering a speech in Germany last week, Secretary of State John Kerry said, "I will be in China in two weeks working on the North Korean issue, working with Korea, Japan, reunification – you name the issue -- South China Sea." (Yonhap News)