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October 4, 2002
A total of 103 inter-Korean direct flights have been logged between June 13, 2000 and October 2, 2002 on a one-way basis. The first direct flight was recorded by President Kim Dae-jung's trip to Pyongyang for the first inter-Korean summit meeting on June 13, 2000.
In 2000, there were 43 direct (nonstop) flights with 20 from the South to the North and 23 in the opposite direction. Besides the inter-Korean summit, former U.S. secretary of state Madeleine Albright and her entourage used the route, when they visited Pyongyang.
In 2001, there were 19 flights with eight South-North and 11 North-South. Notable flights included the reunions of separated families and the late founder of the Hyundai group Chung Ju-yung's visit to Pyongyang leading a condolence mission.
In 2002, there were 41 flights with 20 South-North and 21 North-South. On July 20, a new direct air route was opened along the East Sea to transport manpower and materials for the construction of two light-water reactors in the North and for urgent medical evacuation purposes.
The South used airports in Incheon, Seoul's Seongnam, Gimpo, Osan, Jeju, Busan and Yangyang and the North used Sunan Airport near Pyongyang and Sonduk Airport in the East Coast.
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