통일부

In Half a Century, the National Blood Vessel is Reconnected

The Significance of the Test Runs of the Inter-Korean Railways

The First Step toward the Future of the Korean Peninsula and the Nation

For the first time since the division of the Korean peninsula, trains passed the Military Demarcation Line, reconnecting a blood vessel. The North and the South mapped out the future of the Korean peninsula by jointly restoring the Gyeongeui Line and Donghae Line and it is the significant first step towards the united national community.

The Big Step towards the Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation and Key Position of Logistics in Northeast Asia

As the technological preparations have been made for the test runs, the substantial foundation of the opening of inter-Korean railways is built. The opening of railroads will not only contribute to inter-Korean economic cooperation by largely reducing the cost of logistics but also serve as an opportunity for the Korean peninsula to become a key position of logistics in Northeast Asia.

The Fruit of Inter-Korean Trust Built by the Entire Nation

The process of reconnection of the inter-Korean railways is also the process of tearing down the wall of confrontation and building trust that Korean people had realized with perseverance. For the first time since the national division, trains went beyond the Military Demarcation Line and traveled between two Koreas, easing military tension and building trust. In the future, the Ministry of Unification will exert every effort to develop the test runs into regular operation based on the national support.

The Scene of the Test Runs

1. "Dream, not I, got on the train."

• Interview with a passenger Go Eun, a poet.

"At last, the large blood vessel of the Korean peninsula is connected. We should travel through the large blood vessel. The artery of Korea should be connected by the Gyeongeui Line and Donghae Line. The train is gotten on by my dream, not me."

2. "Serving as a model for the MOU was fruitful.."

• Interview with a passenger Go Euna, actress.

"As a young person, I feel unfamiliar but I am going to gain good experience and memory. I had served as a model for the Ministry of Unification and participated in a lot of its events and I feel it was fruitful.."

3. "I'm happy to make my parents' desire fulfilled."

• Interview with Shin Jangchol, engineman of Gyeongeui Line train

"I am deeply moved and feel honored to become an engineman for test runs of the Gyeongeui Line that is reconnected in 56 years. My father was born in Hwanghae-do and took refuge in South Korea during the Korean War. I am happy to make my parents' desire fulfilled.."

4. "I am overwhelmed with joy to get on the train again during my lifetime.."

• Interview with Han Jungi, the last engineman of Gyeongeui Line train

"Even I did not know that the train that I operated in December 1950 would become the last one traveled between the North and the South. I know I cannot have the honor of operating the Gyeongeui Line train but I am overwhelmed with joy to get on the train again during my lifetime.."

The Course the Test Runs have followed

2007.07.31     First agreement on the reconnection of railroad of Gyeongeui Line (1^st inter-Korean Ministerial Talks)

2000.09.18     Construction work for reconnection of road and railroad of Gyeongeui Line begin

2002.04.05     Special envoy Lim Dongwon visits North Korea and reach an agreement on the reconnection of road and railroad of Donghae Line

2002.04.11     Open the segment between Imjin River and Dorasan of Gyeongeui Line

2002.09.18     Ceremony making the simultaneous commencement of construction to reconnect the road and railroad of Gyeongeui Line and Donghae Line

2002.12.31     Complete the construction work for reconnection of southern segment of Gyeongeui Line

2003.06.14     Ceremony for reconnection of inter-Korean tracks of Gyeongeui Line and Donghae Line

2004.07.30     Complete the restoration of railroad from Tongjeon tunnel and the Military Demarcation Line(3.8km)

2005.12.31     Complete the construction work for reconnection of southern segment of Donghae Line

2007.03.02     Agreement on conducting test runs of railway during the first half of the year(20th inter-Korean Ministerial Talks)

2007.04.22     Agreement on conducting test runs of railway on May 17(13th round meeting of the Inter-Korean Economic Cooperation Promotion Committee)

2007.05.11     Agreement on military guarantee for the test runs of railway(5th inter-Korean general-level military talks)

2007.05.17     Conduct test runs of inter-Korean railways of Gyeongeui Line and Donghae Line

At first, the test runs of inter-Korean railways had been planned to be conducted in May, 2006 but was canceled by the North owing to military guarantee issue. However, it was resumed by constant effort and persuasion of the South. Since the first agreement in July, 2007, conducting the test runs have went through hard and tough process for six years and ten months. However, it can be realized thanks to the support by the people. The Ministry of Unification offers you its heartfelt thanks for your encouragement.

The Future of the Test Runs

After the test runs finished, we will make every effort to open the railway and operate trains on a regular basis as agreed previously between the North and the South. According to the demand and circumstances, we will promote the opening of the railways project in part and stages.

First of all, opening of the railway is urgently needed to support the development of the Gaeseong Industrial Complex and Mt.Geumgang tourism. By the opening of the railway, marine transportation-centered transfer of goods can be resolved and cost of logistics can be significantly reduced.

In addition, when the travel between the North and the South by railroad is realized, it will contribute to building the national community through diversified contacts.

Finally, continental railway will be connected by opening and operating of the inter-Korean railways, creating three-dimensional logistics infrastructures putting together air, land, and sea on the Korean peninsula. It will offer energy and new opportunity to Korean economy by being linked to China with enormous market and Russia with the greatest resources.

In order to accomplish this blueprint, we have a lot of things to do. Modernization of the old railroad of the North is one of them. Much time and effort will be required during the process. As we have followed a long journey to conduct the test runs of railway, we will proceed continuously, remembering the test runs is valuable first step toward the prosperity and peace of the Korean peninsula.