Seoul, after 50 years trains will link up two Koreas
Seoul (AsiaNews/Agencies) –After more than 50 years of separation the two Korea’s have reached a agreement for re-establishing direct rail links. The first train will leave South Korea, to reach the inter Korean industrial zone on December 11th next.
The deal was reached during meetings between the prime ministers of Seoul and Pyongyang, which concludes tomorrow in Seoul. The talks, the first since 1992 were called immediately after the historic visit by South Korean President Roh to Pyongyang.
During the visit, Roh and Kim Jong-il signed a deal which spoke of greater economic cooperation “to reach true peace” for “the near future”. The two prime ministers, Han Duck-soo and Kim Yong-il, now have the job of putting this into practise.
There is currently no rail service between North and South Korea. In May, two trains crossed the border in a test-run and South Korea has since been pushing for more regular rail links. Under the deal, cargo trains will link Munsan in the South with Bongdong in the North. This would improve access to the Kaesong industrial complex, a joint economic zone on the North Korean side of the border.
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