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Korea Chiefs to Launch Border-Busting Railway

Freight link to strengthen economic ties

By Colleen Barry,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 16, 2007 2:10 AM CST
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(Newser) – In their latest step toward closer ties, the leaders of North and South Korea have agreed to establish a cross-border train system to strengthen economic connections. Beginning in December freight trains will follow a 16-mile track through the heavily patrolled border frontier to a joint industrial complex in North Korea's Kaesong. Two dozen South Korean companies employ some 20,000 North Koreans in the factory complex.

The North also agreed to allow South Koreans in Kaesong to use the internet and cell phones, privileges not permitted to most northern citizens. South Korea also committed to building shipyards and to repairing a major highway and railroad in the north. In addition, both sides agreed to establish shared fishing rights.

North Korean Premier Kim Yong Il, center left, signs on a joint declaration documents with his South Korean counterpart Han Duck-soo, center right, during their meeting at a hotel in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Nov. 16, 2007. North and South Korea agreed Friday to launch cross-border rail service next month...
North Korean Premier Kim Yong Il, center left, signs on a joint declaration documents with his South Korean counterpart Han Duck-soo, center right, during their meeting at a hotel in Seoul, South Korea,...   (Associated Press)
South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, right, and his North Korean counterpart Kim Yong Il toast with soju, a traditional liquor, during a dinner following talks, in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Nov. 15, 2007. (AP Photo/Kim Jae-hwan, Pool)
South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, right, and his North Korean counterpart Kim Yong Il toast with soju, a traditional liquor, during a dinner following talks, in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday,...   (Associated Press)
South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun, right, shakes hands with North Korean leader Kim Jong Il after ending their summit meeting in Pyongyang, North Korea, Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2007. The two Koreas decided Wednesday to stick to their original schedule and not extend their first summit in seven years after Kim...
South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun, right, shakes hands with North Korean leader Kim Jong Il after ending their summit meeting in Pyongyang, North Korea, Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2007. The two Koreas decided...   (Associated Press)
South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun, right, toasts with visiting North Korea's Prime Minister Kim Yong Il, during the luncheon at Blue House in Seoul Friday, Nov. 16, 2007. North and South Korea agreed Friday to launch cross-border rail service next month for the first time in more than half a...
South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun, right, toasts with visiting North Korea's Prime Minister Kim Yong Il, during the luncheon at Blue House in Seoul Friday, Nov. 16, 2007. North and South Korea agreed...   (Associated Press)
South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun, right, shakes hand with visiting North Korea's Prime Minister Kim Yong Il at Blue House in Seoul Friday, Nov. 16, 2007. North and South Korea agreed Friday to launch cross-border rail service next month for the first time in more than half a century, with...
South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun, right, shakes hand with visiting North Korea's Prime Minister Kim Yong Il at Blue House in Seoul Friday, Nov. 16, 2007. North and South Korea agreed Friday to launch...   (Associated Press)
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North Korea • South Korea • railway • shipping • Roh Moo Hyun • Kim Jong Il • summit

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