North, South Korea to restore railway, road connections severed during Korean War

The road and railway connections were cut in the early 1950s.

October 15, 2018, 8:31 AM

SEOUL, South Korea -- North and South Korea have agreed to rebuild connections between railways and roads that were severed during the Korean War more than 60 years ago.

Delegations from the two Koreas set out a plan for the transportation connections at a meeting Monday aimed at carrying out a broad agreement last month between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

PHOTO: The Arch of Reunification, a monument to symbolize the hope for eventual reunification of the two Koreas, in Pyongyang, North Korea, Sept. 11, 2018.
The Arch of Reunification, a monument to symbolize the hope for eventual reunification of the two Koreas, in Pyongyang, North Korea, Sept. 11, 2018. South Korean President Moon Jae-in is pushing hard to link the roads and railways of the two Koreas and to help improve the North's often decrepit infrastructure.
Kin Cheung/AP

“South and North had a sincere discussion and agreed on action plans to carry out the September Pyongyang joint declaration and to develop inter-Korean relations to a higher level,” South Korea’s unification minister Cho Myoung-gyon and North Korean counterpart Ri Son-gwon announced together after the meeting at the Peace House in the border village of Panmunjom.

Representatives from the two sides said joint inspections of railways will start this month and a groundbreaking ceremony for the transportation project will be held between the end of November and the beginning of December.

PHOTO: A biker crosses a motorway from Pyongyang to Nampo, a city and seaport located on the west coast of North Korea, Sept. 12, 2018.
A biker crosses a motorway from Pyongyang to Nampo, a city and seaport located on the west coast of North Korea, Sept. 12, 2018.
Kin Cheung/AP

Officials from the two countries also made appointments to discuss other planned projects, including online reunions for families separated on either side of the North-South border, joint sport events, performances by the North’s art troupes, and support for North Korea's forestry.

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