Monday, October 15, 2018

North, South Korea push for opening cross-border rails, roads

North and South Korea have agreed to hold a launch ceremony later this year on a project to open roads and rails between their countries. They hope to begin inspecting cross-border routes that have sat idle for years.


Bruce Harrison reports from Seoul.


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The push to modernize and connect the transportation routes is a key goal South Korean President Moon Jae-in and leader Kim Jong-un agreed on at their third summit last month.


Seoul says it hopes to begin inspections of North Korea's rails and roads this month. The two Koreas then hope to hold a groundbreaking ceremony for their road and rail project in late November or December.


Seoul said it would consult with the United Nations Command about the inspections. But in August, the command blocked South Korean trains from entering the North to survey its rail lines.


There are concerns the transportation upgrades could lead to violations of international sanctions against North Korea's economy.


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