A ministry official at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transportation predicted that the improvement in relations between the North and South Koreas could lead to improvements inrailway infrastructure in Korea.
Maeng Sung-Gyu, the second Vice Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transportation described his future plans in a press conference on the 12th: “If the North and South Korean relationship continues to improve, the first thing that will happen will be to connect the DonghaeBukbu railway line,” he said.
The current DonghaeBukbu line has a disconnected section of 110km between GangwonGoseong-gun Jejin Station and Gangneung. Vice Minister Maeng expressed his expectation that if sanctions are lifted against North Korea, a direct railway will open from Busan to Rajin all the way to Hassan in Russia.
There was also discussion regardinga connection project to the Gyongwon Line, which was suspended during the previous administration.Maeng revealed his hope that, “if we improve the North Korean Railroad system, we can draw Russian gas pipelines to Korea and construct a gas pipe on a 60m railroad site, saving land use charges.”
Vice Minister Maeng also mentioned the possibility of reopening the currently suspended North Korean airline.
In this case, it would save up to 40 minutes of flight time to Vladivostok; Vice Minister Maeng claims that the cost of using the plane to bypass is higher than the previous 6 billion won paid by North Korea fuel cost, so opening the suspended airline will significantly reduce fuel costs.
Vice Minister Maeng added that the Samjiyeon Airport project, which was under development but discontinued, could also be used as a tourist course to Mount Baekdu. However, the Blue House (the Korean presidential residence) clarified the remarks, saying, “It is neither interdepartmental, nor have we looked deeply into it.”
An official at the Blue House said, “President Moon Jae-in has ordered a cautious response to the North Korea and South Korea relations peace phase.” He also revealed his frustration by saying, “the ministries and agencies are making statements that are looking too far ahead.”
Mr. Oh Yeong-Sik, president of Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL), said this past Thursday that “various practical talks will take place at the South-North summits talks at the end of April,” adding, “a joint project between the two Koreas for logistics and transportation will be discussed at that time.”
At the time, President Oh mentioned that “through consultation with North Korea, we will establish a joint inspection group for the restoration and improvement of the railway line and also propose a railroad cooperation meeting amongthe different groups South Korea-North Korea-Russia and South Korea-North Korea-China.”
He also added, “the Gyeongui line has been piloted to Pyongyang in 2006 and is still in a state of passage, and it would be possible to transport separated Korean families from Pyongyang to Seoul.”
