2 Koreas Start Talks on Railway Connection

June 26, 2018

Seoul- North and South Korea began on Tuesday working-level talks on their cooperation for railway connection between the two countries, according to pool reporters.

The bilateral meeting, held at a South Korean facility in the border village of Panmunjom, is the first to discuss specific ways to link and utilize rail and road networks of the two Koreas, as stipulated in the Panmunjom Declaration, adopted at the April 27 summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in.

The document said that the two sides "agreed to adopt practical steps toward the connection and modernization of the railways and roads on the eastern transportation corridor as well as between Seoul and (the northwestern North Korea city of) Sinuiju for their utilization."

The two countries are unable to hold full-scale discussions on economic cooperation at present due to strict international sanctions imposed on North Korea.

Under the circumstances, they are expected to discuss preparations for improving logistics networks on the assumption that the sanctions will be relaxed in line with progress in the denuclearization of North Korea, sources familiar with the situation said.

Before leaving for Panmunjom, South Korean vice transport minister Kim Jeong-ryeol, who heads the South Korean delegation at the working-level talks, said that Seoul will fully work with North Korea to research and study various possible projects that the two countries would be able to carry out if the sanctions are lifted.

The North Korean side is led by Vice Minister of Railways Kim Yun Hyok.

On Thursday, the two sides will discuss linking roads between North and South Korea. Talks on forestry cooperation are slated for July 4. Jiji Press