ROK, DPRK to open reconnected railway

DPRK Premier Kim Yong-il (R) and his ROK counterpart Han Duck-soo visit the National Museum of Korea in Seoul November 15, 2007. REUTERS/Lee Jae-Won

The ROK and the DPRK have agreed to open a reconnected railway line across their border before the end of the year. Here has more on the agreement reached by ROK Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and his DPRK counterpart Kim Yong Il.

In Seoul, ROK Unification Ministry spokesman Kim Nam-shik said the two sides are trying to set a specific date to open the cargo service between Munsan and Bongdong.

Kim Nam-shik, spokesman of ROK Unification Ministry, said, "Both sides shared an understanding that the cargo rail service between Munsan and Bongdong would be meaningful in further energizing the Kaesong industrial complex."

DPRK Premier Kim Yong-il (L) and his ROK counterpart Han Duck-soo (2nd L) visit the National Museum of Korea in Seoul November 15, 2007. REUTERS/Lee Jae-Won

The railway opening would be one of the first tangible results of last month's landmark summit between ROK President Roh Moo-hyun and DPRK leader Kim Jong Il in Pyongyang.

The three day prime ministerial meeting runs through to Friday. Still on the agenda are the ROK's offers to repair a major road and railway in the DPRK, build two shipyards there and provide medical assistance to the DPRK.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei