Railway links two Koreas

The joke doing the rounds was of the longest train delay in history, but for the first time in more than 50 years a regular train service yesterday crossed the between North and South Korea - a symbol of the slow but steady reconciliation between the two nations.

The 12-car freight train carrying left from South Korea carrying construction materials for a North Korean border station and then returned carrying shoes and underwear produced at an industrial complex operated by both countries in the northern city of Kaesong.

The two countries are some way before they will agree to a cross-border passenger service but yesterday represented another step forward as the two countries attempt a better relationship. The cargo train was apparently the result of a summit between North Koreas leader Kim Jong Il and South Korea's president Roh Moo-hyun that focused on a series of possible joint projects.

"The service will further speed up inter-Korean economic projects... and contribute to the establishment of a joint economic community," said South Korean Unification Minister Lee Jae-joung.

The freight service, which will make the 10-mile journey every weekday, will likely boost the Kaesong complex which brings together something both sides have in plenty - technology from South Korea and cheap labour supplied by its neighbour. Already, more than 64 South Korean companies operate factories at the site, producing watches clothes and shoes and employing more than 20,000 North Korean workers.

"The service will revitalise the Kaesong industrial project... and greatly help forge a common prosperity and reconciliation," said Kwon Ho Ung, the North Korean Unification Minister.

South Korea hopes the inter-Korean railway will eventually will pass through North Korea and link to the Trans-Siberian railroad through Russia. Doing so would provide an efficient an overland route connecting the Korean peninsula to Europe and significantly cut down on delivery times for freight that currently is sent by sea.

Lee Chul, president of Korea Railroad, told reporters: "Though we start with a cargo train, it will lead to a passenger train service and will soon be linked to the continental trains. The economic benefits are countless."

The rail link between the two countries were severed shortly after the outbreak of the Korean War in 1953. The conflict, ended in a 1953 ceasefire agreement that has never been replaced with a peace treaty.

Dozens of cars, trucks and buses already cross between North and South Korea and bilateral trade between the two countries is worth around $1bn. The transport links between the two were first reconnected after a 2000 summit.

One of the engineers on board the train told the Associated Press that be believed it would not be so long before a passenger service began operating. "I expect a day will come when South Koreans visit North Korean tourist attractions freely by train," said Shin Jang-chul.

South Korea is certainly keen to help build economic links with the north as a means of helping reduce military tension between the two countries. It may also help reduce the huge disparity in wealth between developed South Korea and impoverished North Korea ahead of a possible reunification between the two nations. South Korean officials are today expected to begin a survey of part of a dilapidated railroad that links Kaesong to the city of Shinuiju, located close to North Korea's border with China. The survey is part of a recent deal to start highway and railroad repairs in North Korea next year.

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