Inter-Korean railroad to be operated for the first time in 56 years
South and North Korea agreed on May 11 to conduct a one-time test run of the Gyongui and Donghae railway lines at their general-level military talks.
While there has been no agreement between the two Koreas on a long-term plan to continue operations of the railway lines, the test runs will be a significant milestone in improving inter-Korean relations. Should operation of both lines become permanent, the lines could be connected to the Trans-Siberia Railway and the Trans-China Railway, bringing the economic benefit of sharply cutting freight costs from Korea to China and Europe. This also would substantially contribute to eventually establishing reconciliation and peace on the Korean Peninsula.
The Gyongui line runs 518.5 km, linking Seoul to Shinuiju in the North. The line was opened in 1906, and then was disconnected in 1951. The test run will be conducted on 27.3 km of the Gyongui line from Munsan in the South to Gaeseong in the North.
The Donghae line was built later in 1937, and ran from Yangyang in the South to Anbyun in the North until 1950. After the lines were severed, North Korea dismantled the railway line, leaving only the roadbed where the trains had once run. The test run will be carried out on 25.5 km of the newly manufactured rail from Mt. Geumgang in the North to Jejin in the South.
Each line will have a diesel engine car pulling five passenger cars, with 100 passengers each from both countries crossing over the military demarcation line. The Gyongui train will leave from the South, the Donghae train from the North. In celebration of the renewed operation of the lines, several ceremonies are expected to take place.
The following is an unofficial English translation of the full text of the agreement issued by the two Koreas on May 11 after the Inter-Korean general-level military talks.
Provisional agreement between the two Koreas on military security guarantees for test run of the rail lines at East and West coast border areas.
1. In both the East and West coast border areas, South and North Korea will temporarily open 10m of the military demarcation line at the points where the rail tracks from the South and the North meet during the test run of the inter-Korean rail lines from 9am to 5pm on May 17, 2007.
- The test run of the inter-Korean rail lines will take place from Chungnyun Station around Mt. Geumgang to Jejin Station on the Donghae line, and from Moonsan Station to Gaeseong Station on the Gyongui line.
- The trains will run from the South to the North on the Donghae line, and from the North to the South on the Gyongui line.
2. The South and the North will follow the procedures outlined in the “Agreement for Military Security Guarantees on Passage on Temporary Roads in the East and West coast border areas” with regard to the number of engines and passenger cars, list of passengers, permitted types and amount of cargo, and time for the trains to cross the inter-Korean border. The required information will be given by one side to the other 24 hours before the test runs.
3. The South and the North will allow passage of the trains, passengers, equipment, and cargo through the military demarcation line during these test runs, and will guarantee the safety of the above-named on their territory.
4. Neither the South nor the North will photograph the other’s territory during the test runs outside of the celebration events areas.
5. The South and the North will not act in such a way as to provoke each other during the test runs of the inter-Korean railway lines.
6. Trains running through the guarded border area will not exceed speeds of 20~30 km/h, and all passengers, equipment and cargo will be subject to inspection upon arrival at the destination station.
7. Passengers, equipment and cargo on trains, which will run through the inter-Korean border area, will be allowed to board and disembark only in designated areas.
8. This provisional agreement will only be in effect on the day of the test runs of the inter-Korea railway lines.
By Lee Hyeon-pyo, Director of Public Relations (KORUS House) at the Korean Embassy.
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