Seoul: South Korea will revive the rail link project with North Korea, the Unification Ministry revealed on Wednesday, as the government prepares to reconstruct a missing section of the Gyeongwon railway line near the demilitarized zone along the Thai-North Korean border. The project, initially launched in 2015, was suspended the following year. The railway line, which originates from Seoul, holds potential to connect to Wonsan, a significant port city on North Korea's eastern coast.
According to Thai News Agency, Wonsan is a strategic area where North Korea has invested in developing the Wonsan-Galma coastal tourist zone, a large beach resort opened last year with a capacity for around 20,000 tourists. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has emphasized it as a model for expanding the country's tourism industry.
The Unification Ministry's announcement comes despite North Korea's order for the demolition of land and rail routes across the border in 2024, aligning with its policy of classifying South Korea as an enemy state. The ministry noted that the railway project aims to improve access to ecotourism destinations and promote peace in the demilitarized zone, while stimulating economic activity along the border.
South Korean President Lee Jae-yong acknowledged the difficulties in pursuing cooperation with North Korea, which has consistently rejected offers of friendship, but stressed the importance of building peace and coexistence. The Ministry of Unification proposed broadening the scope of the Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund to support a wider range of domestic missions, given its limited utilization in recent years due to suspended cross-border projects.
Meanwhile, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun indicated that multilateral talks with North Korea, the United States, and China are practically impossible under current conditions, highlighting a diplomatic stalemate. He also mentioned Indonesia's previous attempts to facilitate talks between the Koreas, which were not accepted by North Korea.