Korean trains in historic link-up

A pair of passenger trains have crossed the heavily fortified border between North and South Korea for the first time in more than 50 years.
The two trains - one travelling from the North and one from the South - each carried 150 invited passengers.

South Korea hailed it as a landmark in relations between the two countries.

But Thursday's crossing remains largely symbolic, the BBC's Charles Scanlon says. North Korea has so far only agreed to a one-off test-run.

For that, our correspondent adds, Pyongyang has demanded a high price.

South Korea has agreed to supply it with $80 million (£41m) worth of economic aid for the development of light industry.

'New era'

Hundreds of people gathered at Munsan station in west South Korea to cheer the five-carriage train as it set off on the 25km (16 miles) trip to Kaesong, across the heavily-armed border.

Firecrackers and white balloons were set off and crowds waved white-and-blue "reunification flags".


On the eastern side, children bearing flowers welcomed the North Korean train as it arrived at Jejin station. One carriage carried a banner reading: "The train once boarded by great president Kim Il-sung".

Each train carried 150 passengers from both Koreas - and included celebrities and politicians.

Passengers on the South Korean train said they were warmly received in the North, while female cabin attendants in military uniforms on board the North train posed for pictures upon arrival at the station in the South.

One of those on board the North-bound train was a conductor who made one of the last railway crossings before they ended because of the 1950-53 Korean War.

"I wish I could operate this train myself," Han Chun-ki, 80, said. "I never thought this day would come".

South Korean Unification Minister Lee Jae-joung expressed his hope that the crossing could herald a new era in North-South relations.

"This will be a turning point for overcoming the legacy of the Cold War era, tearing down the wall of division and opening a new era for peace and reunification," he said.

A North Korean official, Kwon Ho-ung, said both nations "should not be derailed from the tracks" towards unification.

However, not everyone welcomed the event.

A small number of protesters - mainly relatives of South Koreans allegedly abducted by the North following the war - gathered at Munsan.

"I wish the train would come back with my son if he is still alive," a tearful Lee Kam-shim, 72, told the Associated Press.

Border tension

The South has long pushed for a railway connection with the North - not only as a way of improving links with its neighbour, but also to establish better transportation links to China and beyond.

But the secretive Communist country has been less enthusiastic, and previous talks have collapsed as Pyongyang has sought to extract concessions on other issues, such as a disputed sea border.


Thursday's historic crossing was made possible after the North's military agreed last week to provide security across what is the world's most heavily fortified border.

The two sides are still technically at war - having never signed an official ceasefire at the end of the Korean War.

But there have been concerted efforts, particularly by the South, at reconciliation in recent years.

The railway tracks - which run alongside roads across the border - were built and maintained by South Korea part of recent reconciliation projects.

And landmines and tank traps were cleared from the narrow border strip two years ago when the lines were reconnected.

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[Modeltrainguy]

WOW! O__O Though I do not understand Korean (I may understand a few words, later, if I replay the video a few more times) I see this as a VERY Historical Event in History. I wish I were there to see it. I just LOVE trains. Especially, those marking a positive event in History. Best of luck to North Korea and South Korea. Someday, I will have the good fortune to visit.

[xieuling]

best wishes to Koreans from Chinese

[raidnkill]

Stop giving them nuke money!

Appeasement NEVER works

Chamberlain learned it the hard way against Hitler.

Kim jong Il is no different than Hitler

[521i]

Yay! the train crossed DPRK!

[Intransitman]

@Modeltrainguy Thank you, though our Metro system is very over engineered with the tires.

[remotecont888]

Kim Jong-Ill need to go slip and never wake up would be the best for Korea!!!

[hornerm5]

Trains no longer crossing the border. North Korea shut it down.

[BobbytheCanadiankid]

How was Montreal ? When was this ? Since you like trains ....Choo Choo !

[BobbytheCanadiankid]

How could you understand a few Korean words, Martin ? You are black , aren't you ?

[BobbytheCanadiankid]

Hey Modeltrain ! Thanks for your feedback ! I am in Vancouver, BC, Canada ! I used to live in Los Angeles ! How old are you ? Where in USA do you live ? Peace, bro !

[Modeltrainguy]

Sorry, BobbytheCanadiankid.

I'm Black American. No Asian Bloodlines that I know of.

I don't know when this wonderful Train Event happened.

As for why the train was not seen arriving at a North Korean train Station, I cannot answer that....as it was someone else that posted this video.

I have been to Montreal, Quebec. VERY impressive subway trains there! ^_^

[BobbytheCanadiankid]

Hey Modeltrainguy ! Are you a Korean ? I am a Chinese Canadian ! When did this event happen ? How long ago ? Why couldn't we see the train arriving to a North Korean train station in the video ?