North and South Korea to reconnect roads, rails
SEOUL — The two Koreas agreed on Monday to begin reconnecting rail and road links, another step in an improving relationship in spite of US concerns that the North-South thaw could undermine efforts to press North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons.
The agreement on transport links came during talks in the border village of Panmunjom aimed at following up on the third summit this year between South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, last month.
“The South and North reached the agreement after sincerely discussing action plans to develop inter-Korean relations to a new, higher stage,” said a joint statement released by the South’s Unification Ministry.
The two sides agreed to hold ceremonies in late November or early December to inaugurate work on reconnecting railways and roads that have been cut since the 1950-53 Korean War.
They will carry out joint field studies on the transport plans from late this month, the statement said.
They also agreed to discuss late this month a plan to pursue a bid to co-host the 2032 Olympic Games, and to explore in November ways to restart webcam reunions and video exchanges for families separated by the Korean War.
Military officials from both sides are to meet “in the near future” to craft follow-on steps to a military pact struck at last month’s summit. That accord includes the reinstatement of a joint military commission, the halting of military exercises, a nofly zone near their border and the gradual removal of landmines and guard posts within the Demilitarized Zone.
The talks were led by the South’s Unification Minister Cho Myoung-gyon and Ri Son Gwon, chairman of the North’s committee for peaceful reunification. —