Chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sohn Kyung-shik, has sent letters to his Japanese counterparts expressing sympathy for Japan’s earthquake victims.

The organization also plans to send the relief funds raised from 71 of its regional chambers to Japan this week, chamber officials said Sunday.

In separate letters to the Japanese chamber and the chamber of commerce representing Sendai city, Sohn said he and the local business sector grieved deeply over the damage caused by the earthquake and tsunami.

Sendai, the capital of Miyagi prefecture of Japan, was hit by the largest earthquake in modern Japanese history ― magnitude 9.0 ― on March 11. The quake was followed by a massive tsunami.

More than 7,000 people are presumed dead, according to the latest official tally by the Japanese government, while more than 16,000 remain missing.

In his correspondence, Sohn said he and his organization wish a speedy restoration for Japan.

The group plans to soon establish proper measures to support local firms with business in Japan who have been affected by the earthquake and tsunami, they added.

Korea ― on both government and individual levels ― has been avidly raising funds to help Japan cope with the crisis.

The Korea Chamber of Commerce is the nation’s largest private economic organization that represents the local business sector. It has more than 120,000 members nationwide at its 71 regional chambers.

By Kim Ji-hyun (jemmie@heraldcorp.com)