[USFK Forums] South, North Korea, Hold Rail-Link Talks With Russia - Daily[Red Orbit]

[C. Y. Lee]

Uploaded by C. Y. Lee on Friday, March 17, 2006

South, North Korea, Hold Rail-Link Talks With Russia - Daily

Text of report in English attributed to Arirang News, carried by South Korean newspaper Choson Ilbo website on 16 March

For the first time the railway chiefs of the two Koreas and Russia will meet in Vladivostok to talk about linking the railway that spans the Korean Peninsula and runs through Siberia.

The envisioned integration would link the trans-Siberian and trans-Korean railways. The ambitious project, which would give a boost to logistics of South and North Korea and Russia, has seen little progress in negotiations so far.

In the two-day meeting that started Thursday [16 March], South Korea will be represented by Korea Railroad Corporation president Lee Chul, North Korea by Railway Minister Kim Yong-sam and Russia by its Railway Corporation president Vladimir Yakunin. They will discuss collaborative measures like establishing joint institutional guidelines and expanding infrastructure.

Analysts say Russia is eager to reach a compromise in negotiations because its trans-Siberian Railway has seen business decline. South Korea is also in favour of the integration because the railway would offer another option for freight transport. But North Korea, which lies between them, reportedly has security concerns.

Story from REDORBIT NEWS:
http://www.redorbit.com/news/display/?id=431445

Published: 2006/03/16 12:00:37 CST

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