To fellow Koreans on the occasion of the test runs of inter-Korean railways:Unification Minister
In three days, historic test runs of trains on inter-Korean railways will take place. For the first time in 56 years, trains, which have been halted by the national division will, at last, go beyond the Military Demarcation Line and travel between the two Koreas. It will be a moment when the Korean people's long-cherished dream of seeing the "iron horses that wish to run" run its course.
It has been six years and ten months since the project was agreed at the first inter-Korean ministerial talks. Just in the South alone, close to 74,000 man-days have been required in the railway reconnection project. The process has been long and arduous, but at every critical moment, we were able to overcome the difficulties thanks to your encouragement and support. Thank you all for your support.
The test runs of the railways have historic significance in that they symbolize reconnection of a blood vessel that has remained severed in our nation. And now, air, land, and sea routes are about to be linked all together.
The railway tests represent a turning point in overcoming the Cold War era and ushering in a new era of peaceful unification. For Koreans, the railways are historically symbolic in nature.
A century ago when inter-Korean railways were first laid down, our land and labor were harshly exploited. Half a century ago, it was the site of refugees fleeing from war and families being separated amid chaos of war. Railways that remind Koreans of hardship and pain is now being transformed into the artery for national integration. The test runs signify a step forward in achieving inter-Korean reconciliation and cooperation, co-existence and co-prosperity, and a step closer to the creation of a national community through establishment of peace on the Korean peninsula.
The connected railways would serve as passages for goods and people that travel between the two Koreas. Moreover, they would be a starting point of a new future for the two Koreas to peacefully become one through interactions at large-scale.
The test run this time is a pilot operation, which is being carried out prior to the opening of inter-Korean railways. Afterwards, we will commit ourselves to open the railways and see its regular operations as agreed between the North and the South. Of course, much remains to be done to realize a complete connection and operation of inter-Korean railways, one of which is to modernize the aged trains and railways in the northern side. It will take much time and effort, but the test runs will be a valuable first step towards a long journey. As the proverb says, "well begun is half done."
We will move forward with the opening and operation of the railways step by step in accordance with demands and conditions facing us. Above all, the development of the Gaeseong Industrial Complex and expansion of Mt. Geumgang tour would be the first areas that need to be facilitated by the railways. When the inter-Korean railways open, they would significantly reduce the cost of logistics and boost inter-Korean economic cooperations to new heights. The connected railways will be linked to Russia, a nation rich in natural resources and China, a nation of huge market, thereby offering new opportunities to our economy.
The goal of shaping a new future for Koreans--peace on the Korean peninsula and co-prosperity of the two Koreas--can only be achieved when we pull our strengths together. I believe the desire and willingness of all Koreans made the railway test runs possible and brought inter-Korean relations to where they are today. Now is the time to gather the will of the nation to achieve historic tasks which stand before us. Once again, I humbly seek your understanding, cooperation, and support in implementing our unification policy. Let us gather strength and wisdom to open a new era of peace and prosperity.
In closing, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all people in both Koreas whose dedication and work made the inter-Korean railway connection and operation possible.
웹사이트: http://www.unikorea.go.kr
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2008년 6월 12일 16:41
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2008년 2월 14일 16:29