In early 2008 the proposal came under renewed discussions by 10 senior Japanese lawmakers who established a new committee to pursue it.[2][3][4] This was followed by a study group from both countries in early 2009 that agreed to form a committee for the creation of specific construction plans.[5] Committee head Huh Moon-do, a former director of South Korea's National Unification Board and a key member of the former Chun Doo-hwan government, said the tunnel would help regional economics and would "play a key role in pursuing bilateral free trade talks" that are currently stalled.[4][5][5]